Expression of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and CA125 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis treated with Chinese Medicine

Objective: To study the mechanism of Chinese Medicine in treating adenomyosis. Methods: Thirty-seven patients in the Chinese Medicine treated group (17 cases of adenomyosis) and the control group (20 cases of adenomyosis, non-drug treated) underwent hysterectomy. Endometrium was looked as eutopic endometrium and adenomyosis as ectopic endometrium. Expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium were measured by immunohistochemical techniques. Meanwhile the levels of CA125 in serum were measured. Results: The ectopic endometrium of the Chinese Medicine treated group expressed lower level of MMP-9, higher level of TIMP-1 and lower ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 than the ectopic endometrium of the control group (P<0.05). The levels of CA125 in serum were significantly decreased in Chinese Medicine group after treated as contrast with those in control group. Conclusion: Chinese Medicine could reduce the level of CA125 and the ratio of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 to prevent the progression of adenomyosis.