Expressions of endocan, vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and their significances in pituitary adenomas apoplexy

Abstract

Objective To detect the expressions of endocan, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and their significances in pituitary tumor tissues. Methods (1) Eighty pituitary tumor specimens, collected during surgical resection and after pathological examination confirmation in our hospital from January 2005 to December 2014, were used in our experiment; 40 of them were from patients with pituitary adenomas apoplexy and 40 of them were without apoplexy; the expressions of endocan, VEGF and MMP-9 in these pituitary tumor tissues were detect by immunohistochemical methods. (2) Twenty patients with pituitary tumor, performed surgical resection and pathological examination confirmation in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2015, chosen, and their tumor specimens were used in our experiment; 10 of them were from patients with pituitary adenomas apoplexy and 10 of them were without apoplexy; the endocan mRNA expression in these pituitary tumor tissues were detect by reverse translation-PCR (RT-PCR). Results (1) Thirty-one, 33 and 30 specimens in apoplexy group had positive expressions of endocan, VEGF and VEGF; 24, 26 and 20 specimens in non-apoplexy group had positive expressions of endocan, VEGF and VEGF; as compared with those in the non-apoplexy group, the immunorective scale (IRS) scores of protein expressions of endocan, VEGF and VEGF in apoplexy group were significantly higher (P<0.05); endocan and VEGF protein expressions were positively correlated (r=0.555, P=0.000); endocan and MMP-9 protein expressions were positively correlated (r=0.423, P=0.006); VEGF and MMP-9 protein expressions were positively correlated (r=0.621, P=0.000). (2) The endocan mRNA expression in apoplexy group was significantly higher than that in non-apoplexy group ([17.53±8.95]×10-3vs. [4.67±3.03]×10-3, P<0.05). Conclusion Endocan, VEGF and MMP-9 proteins may play important roles in the process of pituitary adenoma apoplexy. Key words: Pituitary adenoma apoplexy; Endocan; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Matrix metalloproteinase-9