Expression of Leptin and Leptin Receptor in Endometrium of Ectopic and Eutopic of Ovarian Endometriosis

Abstract

Objective To study the expression of leptin and leptin receptor (Ob-R)in ectopic and eutopic endometrium from women with ovarian endometriosis(EMs), and to explore their role in pathogenesis of ovarian endometriosis. Methods Twenty-five subjects with surgically confirmed ovarian endometriosis were chosen for study in the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University from July to November 2008. Expression of leptin and leptin receptor in the ectopic endometrium (group A)and eutopic endometrium (group B) of endometriosis was detected by immunohistochemical SP method. Meanwhile, 24 subjects with uterus myoma were chosen as control group. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human Being of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results Leptin and leptin receptor were localized in intracytoplasm of glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of endometriosis and in the normal endometrium of control group. The expression of leptin in the glandular epithelial cells of group A was statistically higher than that in the stromal cells (P 0.05), but the expression of leptin in the stroma cells of group A was statistically lower than that in group B and control groups (P 0.05). The expression of leptin receptor in the glandular epithelial cells of group A was statistically lower than that in group B and control groups (P 0.05). In group B, the expression of leptin in the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells in proliferative phase was higher than that in secretory phase, but there was no statistical significance (P>0.05); meanwhile, the expression of leptin in both glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells of the proliferative phase of control group were statistically higher than those in the secretory phase (P 0.05). Conclusion The lower expression of leptin and leptin receptor in the ectopic endometrium of ovarian endometriosis indicates that the role of leptin and leptin receptor in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometriosis is limited. Key words: endometriosis(EMs); leptin; leptin receptor(Ob-R)