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  • Title: An immunohistochemical comparison of endometrial polyps from postmenopausal women exposed and not exposed to HRT.
    Author: McGurgan P, Taylor LJ, Duffy SR, O'Donovan PJ.
    Journal: Maturitas; 2006 Mar 20; 53(4):454-61. PubMed ID: 16169691.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: Our study set out to test the null hypothesis that oestrogen containing continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) would not affect the hormone receptor expression (oestrogen and progesterone receptors-ER, PR) or markers of cell proliferation/apoptosis (Ki67 and Bcl-2) in endometrial polyps from postmenopausal women exposed and not exposed to HRT. DESIGN: Immunohistochemical staining for ER, PR, Ki67 and Bcl-2 was performed on polyps obtained from two groups of postmenopausal women. SETTING: Polyps were obtained from postmenopausal women attending an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in a district general hospital (Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK). POPULATION: Twenty-five postmenopausal women presenting with abnormal bleeding subsequently diagnosed with endometrial polyps (16 from women not exposed to HRT, 9 from women exposed to HRT). METHODS: Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Significant differences or correlations in either hormone receptor expression or markers of cell proliferation/apoptosis between the two groups of polyps. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for hormone receptor expression (ER and PR) between endometrial polyps exposed and not exposed to HRT. Bcl-2 expression was higher than Ki67 in both groups, but polyps from HRT users had increased levels reflecting decreased apoptosis in these polyps. CONCLUSIONS: HRT has no demonstrable effect on polyp ER and PR expression. However, HRT does appear to inhibit apoptosis and cell proliferation in endometrial polyps, which may affect polyp growth.
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