Effects of LNG-IUS on nerve growth factor and its receptors expression in patients with adenomyosis.
The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is effective in the treatment of dysmenorrhea associated with adenomyosis. However, the mechanism of pain relief of LNG-IUS in patients with adenomyosis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of LNG-IUS on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors, NGFR p75 and TrkA in patients with adenomyosis. Endometrial and myometrial tissues were prepared from 17 LNG-IUS-treated patients and 15 hormonally untreated patients who had undergone hysterectomies for adenomyosis. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against NGF, NGFR p75, and TrkA, was performed. The expression of NGF, NGFR p75, and TrkA in endometrium and myometrium of LNG-IUS-treated patients was significantly decreased compared to those of hormonally untreated patients. Our findings may indicate that the suppression of NGF and its receptors by LNG-IUS is another possible mechanism of relieving pain in patients with adenomyosis.
Choi
Young Sik
YS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Cho
Sihyun
S
Lim
Kyung Jin
KJ
Jeon
Young Eun
YE
Yang
Hyo In
HI
Lee
Kyung Eun
KE
Heena
Kamdar
K
Seo
Seok Kyo
SK
Kim
Hye Yeon
HY
Lee
Byung Seok
BS
D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor