Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in ovarian endometriotic cysts and their relationship with angiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovarian endometriotic cysts and assess their relation with angiogenesis.


METHODS
Experimental clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Fifty patients with ovarian endometriotic cysts.


METHODS
Surgical excision of 50 ovarian endometriotic cysts.


METHODS
Microvessel density and the expression of Cox-2 and VEGF were analyzed immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity was mainly cytoplasmic in glandular epithelial cells in all of the ovarian endometriotic cysts, with low expression in 12 cases (24%), moderate expression in 21 (42%), and high expression in 17 (34%). Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactivity was mainly cytoplasmic in stromal cells in 46 (92%) of the ovarian endometriotic cysts, with low expression in 12 cases (24%), moderate expression in 18 (36%), and high expression in 16 (32%). No immunoreactivity was present in 4 cases (8%). Both Cox-2 (r = 0.728) and VEGF (r = 0.670) were closely, statistically significantly related with microvessel density in ovarian endometriotic cysts. Cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF also were highly statistically significantly correlated (r = 0.777) with each other.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed Cox-2 expression mostly in glandular epithelial cells of ovarian endometriotic cysts, whereas VEGF expression was observed mainly in stromal cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 and VEGF were closely correlated with each other, and both of them appear to play a role in the angiogenesis of ovarian endometriosis.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical School, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. stceyhan@gata.edu.tr
Seyit Temel
ST
Ceyhan
Onder
O
Onguru
Iskender
I
Baser
Omer
O
Gunhan
D000328:Adult; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2