The Pathogenesis of Adenomyosis Through the Immunohistochemical Study with bcl-2 and MMP-9

Objective : To understand the pathogenesis of adenomyosis through the immunohistochemical staining with bcl-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) antibody. Methods : We selected 45 cases of adenomyosis among the uterine specimens that were extirpated surgically due to benign gynecologic problem. Immunohistochemical staining to the myometrial tissue was performed using anti-bcl-2 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies. Staining was qualitatively assessed in terms of extent and intensity. Results : There were 32 cases of proliferative phase and 13 cases of secretory phase depending on the date of endometrium. Anti-bcl-2 stained 81.3% (26/32) compared with anti-MMP-9 stained 6.3% (2/32) in the glandular tissue of the proliferative phase (p