[Research on the relationship between estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, cell proliferation associated antigen in uterine leiomyoma and nuclear body density of myoma, serum reproductive hormone concentrations].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma in order to provide theoretical basis for medical treatment. METHODS: Estrogen Receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and cell proliferation associated antigen (Ki-67) contents of both normal uterine myometrium and leiomyoma were quantitatively analysed by ABC method and image analyser system (IAS) in 30 and 19 specimens obtained during hysterectomy respectively. Nuclear body density were also measured in 8 of them under electronic microscope. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in 22 cases on the operation day. 21 age-matched normal cycling women served controls. RESULTS: Contents of ER, PR, Ki-67 and the number, volume densities of nuclear body were significantly higher in leiomyoma than those in normal myometrium (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). ER,PR contents of the two tissues in proliferative phase were greater than those in secretory phase, (P < 0.05), while Ki-67 contents were the opposite (P < 0.01). ER, PR contents of leiomyoma did not correlate with serum E2 and P concentrations, but correlate negatively with serum LH and FSH levels (P < 0.050). Ki-67 contents correlated positively with serum P levels and also showed inverse correlation with serum LH. FSH concentrations (P < 0.05). ER of leiomyoma positively correlated with density of nuclear body (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High ER, PR and Ki-67 contents in leiomyoma, may be the result of local high E2, P concentrations, and cause growth and development of leiomyoma. High Ki-67 content in secretory phase may indicate that progesterone has a synergistic effect in the pathogenesis of leiomyoma.