Elastin distribution in the normal uterus, uterine leiomyomas, adenomyosis and adenomyomas: a comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the histologic distribution of elastin in the nonpregnant human uterus, uterine leiomyomas, adenomyosis and adenomyomas.


METHODS
Uteri were obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions, including 26 cases of uterine leiomyomas, 24 cases of adenomyosis, 18 adenomyomas and 6 cases of autopsy specimens. Specific histochemical staining techniques were employed in order to demonstrate the distribution of elastin.


RESULTS
The distribution of elastin components in the uterus was markedly uneven and showed a decreasing gradient from outer to inner myometrium. No elastin was present within leiomyomas, adenomyomas or adenomyosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution of elastin may help explain the normal function of the myometrium in labor. It implies that the uneven distribution of elastin components and absence of elastin within leiomyomas, adenomyomas and adenomyosis could be of some clinical significance. The altered elastin distribution in disease states may help explain such symptoms as dysmenorrhea in uterine endometriosis.
Zheng
Wei-Qiang
WQ
Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. zhengwq@hotmail.com
Ma
Rong
R
Zheng
Jian-Ming
JM
Gong
Zhi-Jing
ZJ
D018194:Adenomyoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D004549:Elastin