Decreased Expression of Peroxiredoxin in Patients with Ovarian Endometriosis Cysts.

BACKGROUND Endometriosis (EMT) is a common occurrence in women of reproductive age. Since oxidative stress has been associated with the development and/or progression of the disease, the present study was conducted to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin (PRX) isoforms, including PRX1, PRX2, and PRX3. METHODS Fifty-two patients with ovarian endometriosis cysts and 47 controls were included in the study. Serum levels of PRXs were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of PRX in the endometrium was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Serum PRX1, PRX2, and PRX3 were significantly lower in EMT patients than in controls. The expression of the three isoforms was significantly decreased in ectopic endometrium compared to that in eutopic or control endometrium. There was no difference in PRX expression between eutopic endometrium of EMT patients and control endometrium, and no association was found between serum PRX levels and immunostaining scores. CONCLUSION Our results are the first report that PRXs are downregulated in EMT patients, which suggests that PRXs are involved in the oxidative state of the disease.