Sex hormone-binding globulin expression in the endometria of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the protein and messenger RNA expression of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in endometria from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Hospital research unit.


METHODS
Thirty-three women with PCOS, and 17 fertile, healthy women of similar age to those with PCOS.


METHODS
Endometrial and blood samples were obtained from women with PCOS (PCOSEs) and from control women (CEs) during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Expression studies for SHBG (immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Hormonal studies for determining sex steroids (T, P, and E(2)) and SHBG concentration. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by composite insulin sensitivity index (ISI(composite)).


RESULTS
In stroma, the protein expression of SHBG was lower in PCOSEs than in CEs. Epithelial cells had a similar expression of SHBG protein in both groups. Messenger RNA of variant 548 base pairs (wild-type) tended to be lower in PCOSEs compared to CEs. When PCOSEs were classified by insulin resistance, the PCOSEs with normal insulin sensitivity showed an expression of stromal SHBG similar to that observed in CEs.


CONCLUSIONS
The low SHBG expression in the stromal compartment of endometria from women with PCOS with insulin resistance may contribute to generate an abnormal steroid milieu in the endometria of these women.
Maliqueo
Manuel
M
Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Bacallao
Ketty
K
Quezada
Susana
S
Clementi
Marisa
M
Gabler
Fernando
F
Johnson
M Cecilia
MC
Vega
Margarita
M
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin