Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 4, 694-699,
April 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine system on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and adrenomedullin in the endometrium in adenomyosis
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan, 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Finland, 3 Institute of Hormone Research, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel and 4 Population Council, New York, USA
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan. e-mail: maruo{at}kobe-u.ac.jp
BACKGROUND: The levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine system (LNg-IUS) has been used to control menorrhagia, but irregular bleeding during the first 3 months of use was the most notable side effect. Endometrial angiogenesis is believed to be regulated by angiogenic factors. The study aim was to evaluate the effects of LNg-IUS on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adrenomedullin (AM) expression in the endometrium. METHODS: VEGF and AM expression were analysed using the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method on endometrial curettage specimens from menorrhagic women associated with adenomyosis before and 3 months after LNg-IUS insertion. RESULTS: VEGF expression was abundant both in the endometrial glands and stroma before LNg-IUS insertion, but became scanty 3 months after insertion. No immunostaining for AM was noted in the endometrial glands and stroma before LNg-IUS insertion, whereas AM immunostaining became prominent in the endometrial glands and stroma 3 months after LNg-IUS use. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that LNg-IUS insertion results in decreased expression of VEGF and increased expression of AM in the endometrial glands and stroma after 3 months of use. The results obtained suggest that the increase in AM expression in the endometrium may be responsible for the frequent occurrence of irregular bleeding during the initial 3 months of LNg-IUS use.
Key words: adrenomedullin/endometrium/levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine system/vascular endothelial growth factor
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. Labied, C. Galant, M. Nisolle, S. Ravet, C. Munaut, E. Marbaix, J.-M. Foidart, and F. Frankenne Differential elevation of matrix metalloproteinase expression in women exposed to levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for a short or prolonged period of time Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2009; 24(1): 113 - 121. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P.A.W. Rogers, F. Martinez, J.E. Girling, F. Lederman, L. Cann, E. Farrell, F. Tresserra, and N. Patel Influence of different hormonal regimens on endometrial microvascular density and VEGF expression in women suffering from breakthrough bleeding Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2005; 20(12): 3341 - 3347. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Moller, M. Ronnerdag, G. Wang, V. Odlind, and M. Olovsson Expression of vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors in human endometrium from women experiencing abnormal bleeding patterns after prolonged use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2005; 20(5): 1410 - 1417. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. A. Pritts, I. P. Ryan, M. D. Mueller, D. I. Lebovic, J. L. Shifren, C. J. Zaloudek, A. P. Korn, P. D. Darney, and R. N. Taylor Angiogenic Effects of Norplant Contraception on Endometrial Histology and Uterine Bleeding J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2005; 90(4): 2142 - 2147. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|