title: Alteration of apoptosis-related genes in postmenopausal women with uterine prolapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to compare expression levels of antiapoptotic and proapoptotic genes in parametrial and vaginal tissues from postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We hypothesized that the expression of genes that induce apoptosis may be altered in vaginal and parametrial tissues in postmenopausal women with POP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of vaginal and parametrial tissues were obtained from postmenopausal women with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) POP who underwent vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Expression levels of antiapoptotic (BCL-2, BCL-XL) and proapoptotic (BAX, BAD) genes were studied by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gene expression levels of BCL-2 (P < 0.001), BCL-XL (P < 0.001), BAX (p = 0.001), and BAD (p = 0.004) were all higher in vaginal tissues from the POP group compared with the non-POP group. Similarly, gene expression levels of BCL-2 (p < 0.001), BCL-XL (p < 0.001), BAX (p < 0.001), and BAD (p < 0.001) in parametrial tissues were also significantly higher in the POP group compared with the non-POP group. Additionally, expression levels of BCL-2 (p = 0.05), BCL-XL (p < 0.05), BAX (p = 0.05), and BAD (p = 0.07) in the POP group were higher in parametrial tissue than in vaginal tissue samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiapoptotic and proapoptotic gene expression levels differed significantly between postmenopausal women with and without POP. Bcl-2 family genes were overexpressed in the parametrium of patients with POP compared with vaginal tissue, suggesting that the processes responsible for POP have a greater effect on parametrial tissue than vaginal tissue during the development of POP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey, bahadir.saatli@deu.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Bahadir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saatli
authors.forename: Sefa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kizildag
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cagliyan
authors.forename: Erbil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dogan
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Saygili
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000235:genetics*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C494819:BAD protein, human; C494826:BAX protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051025:bcl-Associated Death Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D012313:RNA