Serum Aromatase – Marker Enzyme for Uterine Fibroids

Abstract

Background:  Uterine leiomyoma commonly called as uterine fibroids are the commonest smooth muscle tumors that originate from the uterine muscular tissue. Several factors are involved in the pathogenesis like the reproductive hormones-estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, age, positive family history, parity, race, environmental factors etc. Most common benign condition in women in the reproductive age group.

 Aims and objectives: To analyze the biochemical parameters along with reproductive hormones- Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone and serum enzyme Aromatase in fibroid cases and to compare the same with healthy study subjects.

Materials and methods: 50 uterine fibroid cases and 40 age matched controls were studied for their biochemical parameters including lipid profile, liver function tests, Steroid reproductive hormones and enzyme aromatase or estrogen synthase which converts testosterone into estrogen.

Results: Uterine fibroid patients had earlier age of menarche and first child birth when compared to normal subjects. They were anemic with low hemoglobin Hb (gm %) 8.6 ± 2.12 and HDL-C against controls. Among liver function tests, alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) was significantly elevated 196.7 ± 31.4 IU/L when compared to the controls with mean value of 112.5 ±22.6 IU/L. Serum reproductive hormones Estrogen and Testosterone were significantly elevated in fibroid patients. There was not much difference in the serum progesterone levels. But difference in enzyme Aromatase level among cases and controls was statistically significant. 

Conclusion: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign condition in reproductive age group of females, which can develop in patients who attain early menarche and having earlier age of first child birth.  Serum testosterone levels should be estimated routinely in uterine fibroids. Serum Enzyme Aromatase should be used as a marker enzyme for patients with leiomyoma..