The expression of granulosa cells BAX mRNA among endometriosis and normal women

Background: Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory condition that affects women in their reproductive period. Study have shown that endometriosis is associated with the granulosa cell apoptosis. Moreover, the status of BCL-2 Associated-X (BAX) in granulosa cell was found to the key effector of granulosa cell death. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the expression of granuolsa cells BAX mRNA among endometriosis patients and control group. Design: Experimental study. Methodology: The study was done on 18 endometriosis patients and 10 normal patients as control who undergo In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle in Ciptomangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta between January–June 2016. The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. Informed consent was obtained from all the study participants. Granulosa cells collected during oocyte retrieval were preserved using RNAlater® QIAGEN and evaluated by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was done using a Mann-Whitney test. Results: This study result showed the median level of BAX mRNA were higher in endometriosis patients [1.060 (0.023–7.305)] than in control group [0.549 (0.012–1.837)]. Statistical analysis showed there is no significant association between gralunosa cells BAX mRNA level in endometriosis patients and control group (p value >0.05). Conclusion: These findings showed that expression of BAX mRNA is higher among endometriosis patients compare to control group due to its pro-apoptotic activity. However, there is no significant association statistically. Given the limited and conflicting research, further studies to evaluate the BCL-2 family members and its contributor to granulosa cell apoptosis are still needed.