Specific binding sites for insulin in the human myometrium and leiomyomas of the uterus
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Objective:
To investigate whether there are increased binding sites for insulin in the leiomyomas of the uterus.
Study Design:
Samples of myomas and myometrium were obtained from seven patients with myomas at the time of hysterectomy. Binding studies were performed with [125I] insulin.
Results:
The percent total binding of [125I] insulin in the myomal tissues (mean +/- SE 20.7% +/- 2.3%/100 micrograms protein) was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than that in the myometrium (14.7% +/- 1.3%/100 micrograms protein). Scatchard analysis revealed that the increase in binding is because of increase in receptor affinity.
Conclusions:
There is increased binding of insulin in the myomas because of increase in receptor affinity. This could increase the sensitivity of the biological response of the myomal cells to insulin.
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