Objective: To study the function of heparanase gene in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
Methods: In situ hybridization method was used to examine the heparanase mRNA expression in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis (EM group, 23) and the eutopic endometrium of women without endometriosis (control group, 25).
Results: (1) In EM group: The frequency of heparanase gene expression in eutopic was similar to that in ectopic endometrium. However the number of positive cells and the intensity of heparanase gene expression in ectopic endometrium was more than that in eutopic endometrium. The frequency of heparanase gene expression in proliferative phase was 83.3% (10/12), while in secretory phase it was 72.7% (8/11), the difference is not significant; (2) In control group: The frequency of heparanase gene expression in proliferative phase was 41.7% (5/12), while in secretory phase it was 7.7% (1/13), the difference is significant; (3) The frequency of heparanase gene expression in endometrium of patients with endometriosis and women without endometriosis were 78.3% (18/23) and 24.0% (6/25) respectively, the difference is significant.
Conclusions: Heparanase gene may play some roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, and it may participate the regulation of menstrual cycle, and that it may participate the regulation of menstrual cycle. It may be an important target of the trentment for endometriosis.