title: Investigation of the Roles of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Galectin-3 Expression in the Pathogenesis of Premenopausal Endometrial Polyps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathogenesis and etiology of endometrial polyps has not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to examine the pathogenic mechanisms of endometrial polyp development using immunohistochemistry. We evaluated the expression of galectin-3 and cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2) during the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women with endometrial polyps or normal endometrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients with endometrial polyps and 50 healthy control patients were included in this study. The levels of expression of COX-2 and galectin-3 were studied by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of COX-2-positive cells and the intensity of COX-2 staining in the endometrium did not vary during the menstrual cycle either in the control group or in patients with endometrial polyps. However, expression of galectin-3 was significantly lower in endometrial polyps and during the proliferative phase of the endometrium compared with the secretory phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggests that the pathogenesis of endometrial polyps does not involve expression of COX-2 or galectin-3.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kasap
authors.affiliation: Department of Patology, Sifa University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karaarslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra Bahar
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Gur
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Güclü
keywords: Cyclooxgenase-2; Endometrial polyps; Galectin-3; Immunohistochemistry