In the PCOS group, the mRNA and protein relative expression levels of mTOR, p-Akt, β-catenin, and Bcl-2 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those in the control group.
The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the effects of three-month Metformin therapy on the expression of tumor-regulatory genes (p53, cyclin D2 and BCL-2) in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Bcl-2 expression during the window of implantation in the PCOS group increased compared with the control group, showing a significant difference (P<0.05).
In stroma, protein expression of estrogen receptor alpha, Bcl-2, and Bax was higher in PCOSE than in NE; epithelial cells had a greater expression of androgen receptor in the nucleus and a lower expression in the cytoplasm of PCOSE.
Further investigation of the pathogenesis of PCOS is needed on the modulation of tumour suppressor and apoptosis genes such as p53, BAX or the APO/FAS system and the over expression of survival genes such as BCL2.