title: Effects of the copper intrauterine device on the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the endometrium.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, ZhengZhou University, ZhengZhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhi Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Lu Min
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Qin Zhen
authors.initials: QZ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Yingpu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ying Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Yi Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2