The expression of selenium-binding protein 1 is decreased in uterine leiomyoma

Peng Zhang,W Dwayne Lawrence,Fang Liu,C James Sung,Cunxian Zhang,M Ruhul Quddus,Xudong Wang

doi:10.1186/1746-1596-5-80

Peng Zhang, W Dwayne Lawrence + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-5-80

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Abstract

BackgroundSelenium has been shown to inhibit cancer development and growth through the mediation of selenium-binding proteins. Decreased expression of selenium-binding protein 1 has been reported in cancers of the prostate, stomach, colon, and lungs. No information, however, is available concerning the roles of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma.MethodsUsing Western Blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium in 20 patients who had undergone hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma.Results and DiscussionThe patient age ranged from 34 to 58 years with a mean of 44.3 years. Proliferative endometrium was seen in 8 patients, secretory endometrium in 7 patients, and atrophic endometrium in 5 patients. Two patients showed solitary leiomyoma, and eighteen patients revealed 2 to 5 tumors. Tumor size ranged from 1 to 15.5 cm with a mean of 4.3 cm. Both Western Blot analysis and immunohistochemistry showed a significant lower level of selenium-binding protein 1 in leiomyoma than in normal myometrium. Larger tumors had a tendency to show a lower level of selenium-binding protein 1 than smaller ones, but the difference did not reach a statistical significance. The expression of selenium-binding protein 1 was the same among patients with proliferative, secretory, and atrophic endometrium in either leiomyoma or normal myometrium. Also, we did not find a difference of selenium-binding protein 1 level between patients younger than 45 years and older patients in either leiomyoma or normal myometrium.ConclusionsDecreased expression of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma may indicate a role of the protein in tumorigenesis. Our findings may provide a basis for future studies concerning the molecular mechanisms of selenium-binding protein 1 in tumorigenesis as well as the possible use of selenium in prevention and treatment of uterine leiomyoma.

Highlights

Uterine leiomyoma, the most common neoplasm of the female genital tract, probably occurs in the majority of women by age 50 and is responsible for significant morbidity in patients [1,2,3]
Decreased expression of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma may indicate a role of the protein in tumorigenesis
Our findings may provide a basis for future studies concerning the molecular mechanisms of selenium-binding protein 1 in tumorigenesis as well as the possible use of selenium in prevention and treatment of uterine leiomyoma

Summary

Introduction

The most common neoplasm of the female genital tract, probably occurs in the majority of women by age 50 and is responsible for significant morbidity in patients [1,2,3]. Risk factors include early menarche, nulliparity, obesity, African-American ethnicity, and temoxifen use [8,9,10,11,12,13]. Many of these factors are associated with increased levels of estrogen and progesterone. The majority of literature revealed higher concentrations of estrogen and progesterone receptors in leiomyoma than in normal myometrium [3]. Selenium has been shown to inhibit cancer development and growth through the mediation of selenium-binding proteins. No information is available concerning the roles of seleniumbinding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma

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