Determining the level of stromal and epithelial cells activity in normal and hyperplastic endometrium of late reproductive and perimenopausal women

Abstract

Hyperplastic processes of the endometrium (HPE) are a group of benign endometrial and stromal cells that have undergone altered growth. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of hypoxia (as indicated by Hif-1α) and apoptosis markers (p53 and BCL-2) in the development of hyperplastic processes of the endometrium (HPE). Results showed that endometrial cells with atypical hyperplasia had increased levels of Hif-1ɑ, which indicates the presence of endometrial hypoxia and may trigger pathological manifestations. Though this result was not statistically significant, it could be the cause of atypia hyperplasia in the late reproductive period (Hif-1ɑ=1.89±0.09 units) and the perimenopausal period (Hif-1ɑ=2.09±0.07 units). Additionally, the study found that p53 markers were elevated in epithelial cells in the late reproductive period, and similar patterns were observed in the perimenopausal period, with the biggest expression in atypical hyperplasia. The study also found that the high expression of BCL-2 indicator (+++) was less common in late reproductive period women with atypia than those without it (χ2=7.2 p=0.01). A similar situation was observed in women in the perimenopausal period (χ2=4.2 p=0.04). These findings suggest that hypoxia may play a role in the development of HPE, as well as changes in apoptotic markers present in the endometrial tissue.