title: Effect of oral contraceptives on vascular endothelial growth factor, Cox-2 and aromatase expression in the endometrium of uteri affected by myomas and associated pathologies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study was conducted to evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Cox-2 and aromatase expression in the endometrium of uteri with myomas and other associated pathologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hysteroscopy was performed in 118 women of reproductive age with myomas and menorrhagia, 40 of whom were using a pill containing 75 mcg gestodene+30 mcg ethinylestradiol. Aromatase p450, VEGF and Cox-2 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. Fisher's Exact Test and the Mann-Whitney test were used in the statistical analysis, with significance established at p<.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with myomas and menorrhagia, associated pathologies such as adenomyosis, endometrial polyps and endometriosis were found in 32%, 12% and 17% of cases, respectively. Aromatase, Cox-2 and VEGF expression was greater during the proliferative phase compared to the luteal phase of the cycle or following oral contraceptive use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endogenous progesterone or combined oral contraceptives are potent inhibitors of VEGF, aromatase and Cox-2 expression in the endometrium of patients with myomas and menorrhagia.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas e Assistência em Reprodução Humana (CEPARH), 40210-341 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. ceparh@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casoy
authors.forename: Kleber
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pimentel
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Célia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Athayde
authors.forename: Thomaz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Elsimar Metzker
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Coutinho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D011374:Progesterone; D001141:Aromatase; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2