The Expression Of Osteopontin In The Endometrium And Its Significance In Patients With IUA

Objective:To study the role of Osteopontin (OPN)in the occurrence of intrauterine adhesion by testing the expression of OPN in the endometrium of patients with intrauterine adhesion.Methods:70patients with intrauterine adhesion and30patients of normal endometrium with uterine septum were enrolled in this study. The expressions of OPN in the endometrium were compared between the two groups. OPN was examined by the means of immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR),respectively.Results:1. Immunohistochemistry showed that OPN was mostly expressed in endometrial glands, less in stoma. The expressions of OPN protein in patients with IUA were higher than the patients of normal endometrium, The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The expressions of OPN were found highest in patients with severe IUA and the expressions were also found higher in moderate IUA than those in mild IUA (all p<0.05).2. RT-PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expressions of OPN in patients with IUA were higher than those without IUA (P<0.05). In accordance to the result of immunohistochemistry, the mRNA expressions of OPN were found highest in patients with severe IUA and the expressions were also found higher in moderate IUA than of those with mild IUA (all p<0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of OPN in the endometrium of patients with IUA were higher than those with normal endometrium, which suggested that OPN may participate in the occurrence of IUA. Along with the extent of the adhesions, the expressions of OPN in the endometrium became higher, which suggested that OPN may be associated with the severity of intrauterine adhesions.