Prolidase activity and oxidative stress in benign, pre-malignant and malignant endometrial lesions

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the prolidase activity, total oxidant status (TOS) and total anti-oxidant status (TAS) in women who have been diagnosed with benign, pre-malignant and malignant endometrial pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety women who underwent endometrial biopsy due to abnormal uterine bleeding were divided into three groups according to their histopathological findings: Benign endometrial pathology (n=65), endometrial hyperplasia (n=12) and endometrial cancer (n=13). These groups were compared with respect to oxidative stress markers and prolidase activity in serum and endometrial tissue. RESULTS: When compared to the benign endometrial pathology group, the endometrium cancer group had significantly higher age, shorter height and higher incidences of menopause and positive family history for gynecological malignancy (p=0.001, p=0.023, p=0.001 and p=0.001). When compared to the benign endometrial pathology group, tissue prolidase activity was significantly higher in the endometrium hyperplasia and endometrium cancer groups (p=0.001 for both). However, tissue prolidase activity was statistically similar in the endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer groups (p=0.166). All study groups had statistically similar serum prolidase activity, serum and tissue TOS, serum and tissue TAS, tissue malondialdehyde and glutathione values. CONCLUSIONS: Prolidase activity in endometrial tissue has enhanced in pre-malignant and malignant endometrial lesions when compared to benign endometrial lesions. The assessment of prolidase activity in endometrial tissue might help to distinguish pre-malignant and malignant lesions in case histopathological characteristics are insufficient for the differentiation of endometrial lesions.