Expression of estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein related peptide 1 messenger ribonucleic acid in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium

Abstract

Objective: Uterine leiomyoma is the most common pelvic tumor in women of reproductive age. The factors involved in the growth of leiomyoma are still not clear, but estrogen has been implicated the most important factor in its growth. Estrogen is known to act through two receptor, the estrogen receptor alpha (ER), and the recently discovered ER beta (ER). Many studies have also implicated insulin like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the growth of leiomyoma and they are considered as one of possible mediators of action of estrogen in the various tissues. IGFBP related peptide 1 (IGFBPrp 1) has been recently introduced into IGF system. We have recently reported that IGFBPrp 1 may be involved in the growth of uterine leiomyoma. The aims of this study were to evaluate an association of ER, and ER mRNA with leiomyoma and to investigate the relationship between IGFBPrp 1 and ER mRNA expressions.