Expression of microRNA-18 and estrogen receptor alpha in myomectomy tissue

Objective To determine the expression difference of microRNA-18 a and estrogen receptor alpha( ER alpha) in uterine fibroids and normal smooth muscle tissue adjacent to tumors,and explore the relationship between the microRNA-18 a and ER alpha and uterine fibroids. Methods The expression of microRNA-18 a and ER alpha in uterine and normal smooth muscle tissue was detected using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical method respectively and relationship between microRNA-18 a and the expression of ER alpha was evaluated.Results MicroR-18 a expression in uterine flesh tumour tissue is significantly lower than that of normal smooth muscle tissue adjacent to tumors( P 0. 05),and the expression of ER alpha is significantly higher than that of normal smooth muscle tissue adjacent to tumors( P 0. 05). The level of microRNA-18 a in Uterine flesh tumour tissue and normal smooth muscle tissue adjacent to tumors was negatively correlated with the expression of ER alpha. Conclusion MicroRNA-18 a might influence ER alpha expression in uterine fibroids,which plays a major role in the process of uterine flesh tumour development. MicroRNA-18 a might become a new target for the treatment of uterine fibroids.