Expressions of COX-2 and Bcl-2 in Barrett's esophagus and probability of esophageal adenocarcinoma occurrence

AIM:To study the expressions and significance of COX-2 and Bcl-2 in all kinds of Barrett's esophagus and analyze probability of incidence of adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus(BE).METHODS:We stained esophageal epithelium by Lugol liquid under endoscope and took experimental specimen by biopsy,and observeed pathological characteristics by HE staining.The expressions of COX-2 and Bcl-2 were detected and semi-quantified by SP immunohistochemical techniques in medium/severe reflux esophagitis(RE,n=23),BE(n=45),esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC,n=14),and normal esophageal epithelium(n=10)to predict cancerization risk.RESULTS:The expression of COX-2 in normal esophageal epithelium,medium/severe RE,BE and EAC tissues was increased gradually.And the expression in BE and EAC was quite strong,positive rate approaching 100%,and the expression between the two tissues had no significant difference(P=0.334).Expression of Bcl-2 was almost consistent with COX-2.The expression of COX-2 in loop-shaped BE was stronger than that in tongue-shaped or island-shaped BE,while the expression difference had no statistical significance(P0.05).COX-2 expression in mucous membrane of long-segment BE(LSBE)was stronger than that in short-segment BE(SSBE),the difference being significant.COX-2 expression in high degree intestinal metaplasia was significantly higher than that in non-intestinal metaplasia or medium/low degree one.COX-2 displayed high expression in BE with low grade and high-grade dysplasia,especially the latter,and both had significant difference.The expression in LSBE,BE tissue with high degree intestinal metaplasia or high-grade dysplasia was not statistically significantly different from that in EAC.While the expression in EAC was significantly different from that in other kinds of BE.Bcl-2 expression in different BE and EAC was consistent with COX-2.CONCLUSION:Expressions of Bcl-2 and COX-2 in BE and EAC are the most outstanding,while there is no significant difference between the two tissues.Expressions of Bcl-2 and COX-2 are the strongest in EAC,LSBE,high degree intestinal metaplasia and high-grade dysplasia tissue.The expressions are not significantly different between loop-shaped BE and tongue-shaped or island-shaped BE,and between different-degree intestinal metaplasias.