Abstract:Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of galectin-3, MMP-9 and VEGF in endometrial tissues of adenomyosis. Methods Relative expression of galectin-3, MMP-9 and VEGF in eutopic endometrial tissues of 20 cases of adenomyosis and 20 normal controls were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect expression of galectin-3, MMP-9 and VEGF in eutopic endometrium and ectopic endometrium of 40 cases of adenomyosis as well as 40 cases of normal endometrium. The correlation of galectin-3, MMP-9 and VEGF in ectopic endometrium was analyzed. Results Levels of galectin-3, MMP-9 and VEGF demonstrated by RT-PCR and Western blot were increased significantly in eutopic endometrium compared with those in normal endometrium (P?0.05). Compared with normal controls, expression of galectin-3 and VEGF detected by immunohistochemistry in adenomyosis endometrium are significantly higher (P?0.05). Positive correlation of increased expression between galectin-3 and MMP-9 (r?=?0.493, P?=?0.000), galectin-3 and VEGF (r?= 0.616, P?=?0.000), MMP-9 and VEGF (r?=?0.441, P?=?0.004) were identified. Conclusions Galectin-3, MMP-9 and VEGF increase in endometrial tissues of adenomyosis, which may be involved in development and progression of adenomyosis.