Increased type I and V collagen expression in uterine leiomyomas during the menstrual cycle.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the ratios of type I and type V collagen expression were significantly increased in the leiomyoma tissues at the protein level, as compared with those in the normal myometrium tissues through the menstrual cycle. These results suggest that increased expression of type I and type V collagen might play a role in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma.