Expression of bcl-2 protein in uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium
Zhang, Z.L.; Zhang, Y.; Xu, B.Q.
Hunan Yi Ke da Xue Xue Bao 26(4): 363-365
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1000-5625 PMID: 12536738 Document Number: 529751
To study the expression of the apoptosis regulatory protein bcl-2 in the uterine leiomyomas and in the normal myometrium. The expression of bcl-2 protein was examined by immunohistochemical ABC staining in 40 cases of uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium. bcl-2 expression was higher in the uterine leiomyomas than that in the normal myometrium, both in the proliferative phase and in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.01); bcl-2 expression in leiomyomas in the secretory phase was stronger than that in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.01). The increase of apoptosis inhabiting gene bcl-2 may play an important role in the growth of the uterine leiomyomas. This action may be regulated by progesterone.