Expression of aromatase and 5-α-reductase genes in endometrial adenocarcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of genes coding aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 in endometrial adenocarcinoma, with parallel analysis of testosterone concentrations in serum isolated from blood of basilic and ovarian vein. A significant difference between the copy numbers of mRNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 was disclosed. The content of the mRNA copies was higher for 5-alpha-reductase type 2 than for type 1. We noted a positive correlation between the mRNA copy number for aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase type 1 as well as between the mRNA copy number for aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase type 2. A positive correlation was disclosed between the mRNA copy number for 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2. We concluded that in tissues of endometrial adenocarcinoma, there is expression of aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and 2 genes, and that the expression of aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase genes in tissues of endometrial adenocarcinoma is not controlled by testosterone.