Expression of Membrane Type-2 and -3 Matrix Metalloproteinases in Eutopic Endometrium of Women with Advanced Endometriosis

Copyright © 2011. Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Endometriosis, one of the most common gynecologic disorders, is broadly defi ned as the presence of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity, associated with symptoms of dysmenorrhea, dyspaureunia, chronic pelvic pain and subfertility. But, the etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis remain obscure. Theories that account for this susceptibility include genetic predisposition [1], large amount of retrograde menstruation [2], an altered peritoneal environment [3], or an immunological susceptibility [4]. The most widely accepted theory is that the disease is caused by retrograde menstruation and subsequent implantation of endometrial glands on the surface of the abdominal cavity [2,5]. However, retrograde menstruation is frequently observed in women unaffected by endometriosis and such menstrual debris does not result in endometriosis in all women. Thus, additional factors may be present in the uterine endometrium of women who have developed the disease. The women who develop endometriosis are due to abnormalities inherent to their ectopic or eutopic endometrium. The refl uxed menstrual debris in women with endometriosis may ORIGINAL ARTICLE Korean J Obstet Gynecol 2011;54(8):441-447 http://dx.doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.8.441 pISSN 2233-5188 · eISSN 2233-5196