Expression of hormone receptors, Bcl-2, Cox-2 and Ki67 in benign endometrial polyps and their association with obesity

The present study examined the immunoexpression of the estrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR), B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2), cyclooxygenase‑2 (Cox‑2) and Ki67 in endometrial polyps and their association with obesity. In total, 515 premenopausal and postmenopausal females undergoing hysteroscopy with histological diagnosis of benign polyps were included. The immunohistochemical expression of the ER, PR, Bcl‑2, Cox‑2 and Ki67 was compared between obese and non‑obese females. The median final score demonstrated a higher PR expression in the stromal and glandular compartments of postmenopausal obese females as compared with no‑obese females. However, in this group, there was no difference in regard to the ER. No difference in hormone receptor expression was identified among premenopausal females. In postmenopausal females, the immunoexpression of Cox‑2 and Bcl‑2 in the glandular epithelium was higher in obese than in non‑obese females. Among premenopausal females, obese females demonstrated a higher Bcl‑2 expression in the glandular epithelium than non‑obese females. There were no differences in Ki67 expression between obese and non‑obese females. Polyps from obese females had a higher PR expression in the glandular and stromal compartments. The expression of Cox‑2 and Bcl‑2 was higher in the glandular compartment. These data suggested that the etiology and pathogenesis of polyps in obese females appear to be associated with the PR, the inhibition of apoptosis and cellular mechanisms linked with inflammation.