Localization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase messenger ribonucleic acid by in situ hybridization in ectopic endometrial tissue in patients with adenomyosis

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the expression of endothelial nitricoxide synthase (NOS) mRNA in ectopic endometrium in adenomyosis. EndothelialNOS mRNA expression was investigated by in situhybridization using a human endothelial NOS RNA probe. The subjects comprisedsix cases of adenomyosis, and 14 women with normal fecundity as controls.Specific expression of endothelial NOS mRNA was found in glandular and surfaceepithelial cells in eutopic endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle in allgroups. It is noteworthy that the expression of endothelial NOS mRNA wasmoderately positive in ectopic endometrial tissues in three of the six casesof adenomyosis. In conclusion, the endothelial NOS mRNA expression seen in theectopic endometrium suggests a possible relationship with the variouspathologies associated with adenomyosis.