Aim: To explore the possible relationship between expression of PPAR(pevoxisome prodiferator adivated receptor) beta and clinical pathological features of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC).
Methods: PPARbeta expressions in normal ovaries (n=10), ovarian bordline tumors (n=10), and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinomas (n=46) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.
Results: PPARbeta protein was expressed in normal ovaries and ovarian cancer. PPARbeta protein was found in cytoplasm of tumor cell. PPARbeta expression was 20% revealed in normal ovaries, 50% in bordline tumors 89.1% in serous cystadenocarcinomas(P<0.05), significantly higher than that in bordline tumors (P<0.05). PPARbeta expression was positively correlated with tumor stage, histological grade and lymphonode metastasis (P<0.05).
Conclusion: High expression of PPARbeta may be related with the differentiation and metastasis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.