Article

Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the role of genetics, inflammation and oxidative stress.

2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Archives of Gynecology (impact factor: 0.91). 05/2012; 286(1):99-103. DOI:10.1007/s00404-012-2357-8 pp.99-103
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity.
The etiology of this multifactorial disease is still unresolved and an increasing number of studies suggest that genetic, hormonal, environmental, immunological and oxidative factors may all play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
In this literature review, inflammatory activity, oxidative stress as well as genetic abnormalities and mutations have been studied in an effort to identify factors predisposing to endometriosis.

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    Article: The role of Lipoxin A4 in endometrial biology and endometriosis.
    G O Canny, B A Lessey
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    ABSTRACT: Lipoxin A4 (LXA4), an endogenous anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mediator studied in many disease states, is recently appreciated as a potentially significant player in the endometrium. This eicosanoid, synthesized from arachidonic acid via the action of lipoxygenase enzymes, is likely regulated in endometrial tissue during the menstrual cycle. Recent studies revealed that LXA4 acts as an estrogen receptor agonist in endometrial epithelial cells, antagonizing some estrogen-mediated activities in a manner similar to the weak estrogen estriol, with which it shares structural similarity. LXA4 may also be an anti-inflammatory molecule in the endometrium, though its precise function in various physiological and pathological scenarios remains to be determined. The expression patterns for LXA4 and its receptor in the female reproductive tract suggest a role in pregnancy. The present review provides an oversight of its known and putative roles in the context of immuno-endocrine crosstalk. Endometriosis, a common inflammatory condition and a major cause of infertility and pain, is currently treated by surgery or anti-hormone therapies that are contraceptive and associated with undesirable side effects. LXA4 may represent a potential therapeutic and further research to elucidate its function in endometrial tissue and the peritoneal cavity will undoubtedly provide valuable insights.Mucosal Immunology advance online publication, 13 March 2013; doi:10.1038/mi.2013.9.
    Mucosal Immunology 03/2013; · 6.96 Impact Factor
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Keywords

endometrial tissue
 
Endometriosis
 
hormonal
 
increasing number
 
literature review
 
mutations
 
oxidative factors
 
oxidative stress
 
pathogenesis