Gene Expression of Leptin and Long Leptin Receptor Isoform in Endometriosis: A Case-Control Study

Sheila Bunecker Lecke,Débora Martinho Morsch,Maria Isabel Edelweiss,Poli Mara Spritzer,Andrea Prestes Nácul

doi:10.1155/2013/879618

Abstract

In this study, leptin/BMI ratio in serum and peritoneal fluid and gene expression of leptin and long form leptin receptor (OB-RL) were assessed in eutopic and ectopic endometria of women with endometriosis and controls. Increased serum leptin/BMI ratio was found in endometriosis patients. Leptin and OB-RL gene expression was significantly higher in ectopic versus eutopic endometrium of patients and controls. A positive, significant correlation was observed between leptin and OB-RL transcripts in ectopic endometria and also in eutopic endometria in endometriosis and control groups. A negative and significant correlation was found between OB-RL mRNA expression and peritoneal fluid leptin/BMI ratio only in endometriosis. These data suggest that, through a modulatory interaction with its active receptor, leptin might play a role in the development of endometrial implants.

Highlights

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and/or stroma outside the uterus
While progesterone levels were higher in the secretory than in the proliferative phase, no differences were observed in estradiol and progesterone levels between the endometriosis and control groups
We found a significantly higher serum leptin/body mass index (BMI) ratio in the endometriosis group, as well as a significantly higher expression of leptin and OB-RL transcripts in the ectopic endometrium compared to the eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis and normal pelvis controls

Summary

Introduction

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and/or stroma outside the uterus. Several studies have demonstrated that endometriosis is associated with abnormal peritoneal and endometrial production of proinflammatory cytokines and growth and angiogenic factors [1, 2]. A hormone produced mainly by adipocytes, is expressed in endometrium [3] and has been implicated in the regulation of sex hormone production, ovulation, endometrial cell physiology, and early embryo development and implantation [4]. It may play a role in endometriosis through its inflammatory and angiogenic properties. The possibility of an association between PF leptin levels and severity of endometriosis is controversial, with some studies suggesting a negative correlation [2, 6, 8] and others showing a positive correlation with more severe forms of peritoneal endometriosis [5, 7, 13, 15]

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