Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in human leiomyomas.

Aim: Growth factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of uterine myomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression during leiomyoma growth at different phases of the menstrual cycle with RT-PCR.

Method: We studied 56 patients: 43 with myomas, 13 with healthy myometriums. In patients with myomas (secretory phase), VEGF expression was 2.82 times higher than in control patients (p < 0.05). In patients with myomas (phase I), VEGF expression was 2.53 times higher (p < 0.05) than in control patients. For all patients with myomas, those who were in menopause had 1.52 times higher VEGF expression than those who menstruated. For patients with healthy myometriums, those who were in menopause had 1.97 times higher VEGF expression than those who menstruated. A comparison of all the patients in menopause revealed that VEGF expression was 2.03-fold higher in those with myomas than in those with healthy myometriums.

Conclusion: We observed the highest VEGF mRNA expression in women with myomas who were in menopause. Among menstruating patients, VEGF expression was significantly higher in those with myomas compared to those with a healthy myometrium. This suggested that VEGF may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of uterine myomas.