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.