Effects of the copper intrauterine device on the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the endometrium.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 in the endometrium before and after insertion of the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD).


METHODS
Ten patients were investigated. Two endometrial biopsies were taken from the uterus of each patient. The first biopsy was taken prior to insertion of the Cu-IUD, and the second was taken 1 month after insertion on the same day of the menstrual cycle and from the same location. The levels of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA and protein in the endometrium were determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.


RESULTS
Before insertion, expression of COX-2 mRNA and proteins was 0.399+/-0.014 and 14.75+/-1.31, respectively. Post insertion, expression of COX-2 mRNA and proteins was 0.563+/-0.041 and 18.61+/-1.93, respectively. A significant increase (P<0.05) of COX between pre and post insertion of the Cu-IUD was only seen with COX-2. There was no significant change in the level of COX-1 mRNA or proteins before and after insertion of the Cu-IUD.


CONCLUSIONS
COX-2 is the primary isoenzyme stimulating overproduction of prostaglandins in the endometrium after the insertion of Cu-IUDs.
Xin
Zhi Min
ZM
Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, ZhengZhou University, ZhengZhou, China.
Cao
Lu Min
LM
Xie
Qin Zhen
QZ
Sun
Yingpu
Y
Su
Ying Chun
YC
Guo
Yi Hong
YH
D000328:Adult; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects*
D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2