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Effects of the copper intrauterine device on the expression of cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2 in the endometrium
Author(s) -
Xin Zhi Min,
Cao Lu Min,
Xie Qin Zhen,
Sun Yingpu,
Su Ying Chun,
Guo Yi Hong
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.12.018
Subject(s) - medicine , endometrium , intrauterine device , messenger rna , uterus , andrology , cyclooxygenase , blot , endometrial biopsy , western blot , reverse transcriptase , polymerase chain reaction , enzyme , population , gene , biology , research methodology , biochemistry , family planning , environmental health
Objective To examine the expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 and COX‐2 in the endometrium before and after insertion of the copper intrauterine device (Cu‐IUD). Methods Ten patients were investigated. Two endometrial biopsies were taken from the uterus of each patient. The first biopsy was taken prior to insertion of the Cu‐IUD, and the second was taken 1 month after insertion on the same day of the menstrual cycle and from the same location. The levels of COX‐1 and COX‐2 mRNA and protein in the endometrium were determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blotting. Results Before insertion, expression of COX‐2 mRNA and proteins was 0.399 ± 0.014 and 14.75 ± 1.31, respectively. Post insertion, expression of COX‐2 mRNA and proteins was 0.563 ± 0.041 and 18.61 ± 1.93, respectively. A significant increase ( P < 0.05) of COX between pre and post insertion of the Cu‐IUD was only seen with COX‐2. There was no significant change in the level of COX‐1 mRNA or proteins before and after insertion of the Cu‐IUD. Conclusion COX‐2 is the primary isoenzyme stimulating overproduction of prostaglandins in the endometrium after the insertion of Cu‐IUDs.