Ana A. Murphy

The pathophysiology of endometriosis and mechanisms responsible for its major symptoms, infertility and chronic pelvic pain, are poorly understood. Several studies have suggested that oxidative stress plays an important role in its pathogen…

We previously suggested that women with endometriosis have increased oxidative stress in the peritoneal cavity. To assess whether antioxidant supplementation would ameliorate endometriosis-associated symptoms, we performed a randomized, pla…

ObjectiveTo determine the inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity by the presence of endometrial cells and the role of the mesothelium.DesignIn vivo study using mice.SettingUniversity research laboratory.Animal(s)Female Swiss Webster…

ObjectiveTo determine the contribution of endometrial cells in the development of endometriosis. Specifically the response of the mesothelium to endometrial cells in the production of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (I…

Endometriosis affects younger women of childbearing age. Atherosclerosis is considered as a disease of the old and increases with the ageing process. Both diseases are characterized by the increased presence of activated macrophages and ass…

Endometriosis is one of the most commonly encountered gynecologic diseases requiring medical and/or surgical therapy. It is a leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States and has significant associated morbidity. The most frequent sym…

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) production by peritoneal mesothelial cells and endometrial cells. DESIG…

Retrograde menstruation has been suggested to be the cause for the presence of endometrial cells in the peritoneal cavity. However, little is known about the events that lead to the adhesion and growth of these cells that ultimately result …

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the peritoneum and other extrauterine sites. The presence of aromatase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of estradiol, has been demonstrated in eutopic e…

ObjectiveTo determine the direct action of RU486 on endometrial cell proliferation and to differentiate whether the antioxidant or the antiprogesterone property of RU486 is predominately responsible for its effect on cell growth.DesignIn vi…

Our central hypothesis proposes that oxidatively damaged red blood cells (RBCs), apoptotic endometrial cells or undigested endometrial tissue may signal the recruitment and activation of mononuclear phagocytes. Women with endometriosis are …

ObjectiveTo evaluate for the presence of oxidatively modified lipid-protein complexes in endometriosis and endometrium of women with endometriosis and controls.DesignControlled clinical study.SettingAcademic tertiary care center.Patient(s)W…

Inflammatory processes have been hypothesized to mediate some of the clinical sequelae associated with endometriosis. The peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with endometriosis is known to contain more inflammatory cells and their associated cyt…

ObjectiveTo determine whether cultured human peritoneal macrophages have functional scavenger receptor(s) and whether activation of macrophages in endometriosis may involve an increase in scavenger receptor activity.DesignA controlled clini…

RU-486, the first clinically available antiprogestin, has numerous gynecologic applications beyond first-trimester pregnancy termination. Long-term administration of 2 mg/day of RU-486 suppresses ovulation while maintaining serum estrogen l…

ObjectiveTo examine endometrial response to long-term low-does RU486 administration.DesignRetrospective controlled study of women with endometriosis treated for 6 months with 50 mg RU486 daily for 6 months. Controls consisted of women in th…

More than a decade after the serendipidous discovery of RU486, numerous antiprogestins have been synthesized and studied. Interest in how antiprogestins exert their antagonist effect has led to novel information about the molecular mechanis…

Uterine leiomyomata are steroid hormone-dependent tumors that are common in reproductive-age women. Some series have found leiomyomata in up to 20 per cent of women over 30 years of age. These tumors represent the most frequent indication f…