A study on the expression of apoptosis and proliferation in endometrial polyps

Abstract

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of endometrial polyps.Methods We studied specimens including 40 proliferative phase endometrial samples,40 proliferative phase endometrial polyps,40 secretory phase endometrial samples and 40 secretory phase endometrial polyps.Immunohistochemical method was employed to detect the expression of bcl-2,Bax,Ki-67 and the ratio of Bax to bcl-2 was colculated.Contrast analysis was made between proliferative phase endometrial polyps and proliferative phase endometrium,secretory phase endometrial polyps and secretory phase endometrium.The expression in glandular epithelium and stroma was analyzed individually.Results In glandular epithelium,either in proliferative phase or in secretory phase,Ki-67 expression in endometrial polyps was higher than that in endometrium(P<0.01),but in stroma,the former was lower than the latter(P<0.01).In glandular epithelium,the expression of Bax in proliferative phase endometrial polyps was higher than that in proliferative phase endometrial samples (P<0.01). Expression of bcl-2 in secretory phase endometrial polyps was higher than that in secretory phase endometrium(P<0.05).In stroma,either in proliferative phase or in secretory phase,the ratio of Bax to bcl-2in endometrial polyps was lower than that in normal endometrium. Conclusion Endometrial polyps pathogenesis is related with glandular epithelial hyperplasia or stromal limited apoptosis. Key words: Polyps,endometrium; Apoptosis; Cell proliferation