Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 2026. 3(184): 39-43. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.3(184).3943
Marichereda V. G., Drobot D. I.
Odesa National Medical University, Ukraine

For citation: Marichereda VG, Drobot DI. (2026). Characteristics of BAK1 serum levels in women with endometrial hyperplastic processes associated with obesity. Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 3(184): 39-43. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.3(184).3943
Article received: Apr 01, 2026. Accepted for publication: Jun 01, 2026.

Aim – to evaluate serum BAK1 levels in women with endometrial hyperplastic processes associated with obesity and to determine their diagnostic and prognostic significance.
Materials and methods. The study included 103 patients: group Ia – endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (n=39); group Ib – atypical hyperplasia (n=9); group II – endometrial cancer (n=25); group III – polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, n=16); group IV – healthy women (n=14). The diagnosis was histologically verified. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to WHO criteria, serum BAK1 level was measured by ELISA, and all participants underwent transabdominal and transvaginal pelvic ultrasound.
Results. Body weight and BMI in groups Ia, Ib, and II were comparable and corresponded to obesity criteria, while lower values were observed in groups III and IV. BAK1 levels differed significantly between groups, exhibiting high variability. The lowest levels were observed in group Ib, suggesting suppressed apoptotic mechanisms during precancerous transformation; levels were moderately reduced in group II and highest in group IV, reflecting preserved apoptotic control. Ultrasound showed increased M-echo thickness, heterogeneous structure, and altered vascularization in groups Ia and II, whereas ovarian changes predominated in group III.
Conclusions. The findings confirm the clinical association of obesity and metabolic disorders with endometrial hyperplastic and neoplastic processes. BAK1 levels change depending on the degree of pathological transformation and are lowest in atypical hyperplasia, indicating impaired apoptotic regulation. The nonlinear relationship between BAK1 and endometrial thickness reflects the complexity of molecular control of proliferative processes. BAK1 may be considered as a promising biomarker of apoptosis impairment and a potential predictor of neoplastic transformation in women with metabolic disorders, which requires confirmation in larger cohorts.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all participating women.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: endometrium, hyperplasia, obesity, apoptosis, carcinoma, insulin resistance.

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