Uterine cavity matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines in patients with leiomyoma, adenomyosis or endometrial polyp

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 111; no. 2; pp. 197 - 203
• Main Authors: Inagaki, Noboru, Ung, Linh, Otani, Tetsuo, Wilkinson, David, Lopata, Alex
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 10.12.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adenomyosis; Biological and medical sciences; Cytokines; Cytokines - analysis; Endometrial Neoplasms - metabolism; Endometrial polyp; Endometriosis - metabolism; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Interferon-gamma - analysis; Interleukin-1 - analysis; Leiomyoma; Leiomyoma - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - analysis; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - analysis; Matrix metalloproteinase-2; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Matrix Metalloproteinases - analysis; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Polyps - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta - analysis; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Uterine cavity; Uterine Diseases - metabolism; Uterine lavage; Uterine Neoplasms - metabolism; Uterus - chemistry; Uterus - enzymology; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Leiomyoma; Uterine cavity; Cytokines; Uterine lavage; Matrix metalloproteinase-2; Endometrial polyp; Adenomyosis; Human; Statistical analysis; Pathophysiology; Enzyme; Cytokine; Metalloendopeptidases; Endometriosis; Smooth muscle; Gelatinase B; Female genital diseases; Gelatinase A; Peptidases; Preimplantation diagnosis; Matrix metalloproteinase-2; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Leiomyoma; Endometrial polyp; Adenomyosis; Cavity; Uterus; Uterine diseases; Hydrolases; Female; Benign neoplasm; Endometrium; Polyp; Uterine cavity; Uterine massages Cytokines
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-2115(03)00244-6

Objective: To determine whether leiomyoma, adenomyosis and endometrial polyps are associated with changes in uterine cavity matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and cytokines. Study design: Uterine cavity irrigation was performed in women with leiomyoma, adenomyosis and endometrial polyps, and in women with a normal uterus. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assayed in the uterine washings by gelatin zymography. For individual subjects, the total MMP level was obtained by adding the semi-quantitative scores of band densities related to gelatinases in the zymograms. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) kits. Results: The uterine cavity of patients with leiomyoma, adenomyosis and endometrital polyps had significantly higher MMP scores than controls. Although the mean IL-1β levels were elevated in uteri harboring a pathology compared with the normal uteri, the cytokine was significantly elevated only in the adenomyotic group. Significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ were found in uteri with leiomyoma and endometrial polyps. Uterine washings from leiomyoma and adenomyosis contained significantly elevated mean levels of TGF-β1 compared with controls, while TNF-α was significantly higher only in leiomyoma. When uterine cytokine levels were compared in relation to individual MMP levels a significant relationship was found between TGF-β1 and elevated levels of MMP-9 and total MMPs in leiomyoma. A significant relationship was also found between IL-1β and elevated levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and total MMPs in the endometrial polyp group. Conclusion: The uterine cavity in leiomyoma, adenomyosis and endometrial polyps contains elevated levels of MMPs and cytokines compared with the normal uterus. In some pathologies elevated cytokines are associated with elevated MMPs.