Objective  To investigate the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in endometrial carcinoma and to analyze their correlations and clinical significance.

  Methods  Immunohistochemical assay and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of PPARγ, ERα, and ERβ in normal endometrial tissues and well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated endometrial carcinomas.

  Results  PPAR γ expression was significantly lower in endometrial carcinoma than in the normal endometrium and was intimately associated with clini- copathologic variables. ERα expression gradually decreased in moderately and poorly differenti-ated endometrial carcinomas. However, no significant differences were found between the normal endometrium and well-differentiated endometrial carcinoma. ERβ expression only decreased in the poorly differentiated endometrial carcinoma. No significant association was observed between ERβ and clinicopathologic variables. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive cor-relation between the expressions of PPARγ and ERα. No correlations were observed between the expressions of ERα and ERβ and between that of ERβ and PPARγ.

  Conclusion  The expression lev-els of PPARγ and ERα were significantly associated with the clinicopathologic stage of endometrial carcinoma, and have essential functions in endometrial tumorigenesis and tumor progression.