Natsuko Tokushige

background: Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a specific type of endometriosis, which can be associated with more severe pelvic pain than other forms of endometriotic lesions. However, the mechanisms by which pain is generated are no…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease that can be associated with severe pelvic pain; however, the mechanisms by which pain is generated remain unknown. METHODS: Peritoneal endometriotic lesions and nor-mal peritoneum were p…

PurposeTo assess endometrial gene as well as protein expression of neuroendocrine and supposedly endometriosis-associated product PGP9.5 and pain symptoms in women with endometriosis and controls undergoing laparoscopy, using molecular biol…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether proteins secreted in urine differ between women with and without endometriosis. DESIGN: Laboratory study using human urine. SETTING: University-based laboratory. PATIENT(S): Women with and without endome…

There was no difference in the density of nerve fibers across the menstrual cycle in peritoneal endometriotic lesions. These findings may explain why patients with peritoneal endometriosis often have painful symptoms throughout the menstrua…

Endometriosis has been recognized as the principal cause of pelvic pain in most modern industrialized societies for the past 20 years, but mechanisms are remarkably poorly understood. There is great variability in the types and severity of …

background: Diagnosis of endometriosis currently requires a laparoscopy and this need probably contributes to the considerable average delay in diagnosis. We have reported the presence of nerve fibres in the functional layer of endometrium …

Ovarian endometriomas (n = 29) were innervated by mainly sympathetic and sensory fibers. These fibers may be involved in the generation of pain symptoms.

Introduction: Endometriosis, defined as the growth of endometrial tissue outside \nthe uterine cavity is a common gynaecological disorder affecting 10-15% \nof women in their reproductive years. It is a major clinical problem causing in- \n…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, associated with highly dysregulated immune response at both uterine and peritoneal levels. Surprisingly, Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells, which control and suppress a range of immune respons…

BACKGROUND: Immune alterations may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells that are highly involved in the initiation of the immune response. The aim of thi…

Study objectiveTo investigate the extent and types of innervation of endometriotic lesions in various regions of the bowel.DesignRetrospective nonrandomized immunohistochemical study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3.SettingUniversit…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition, characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. The immune system provides a defence mechanism in response to foreign pathogens, and macrophages play impor…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease, but the pathogenesis of endometriosis and pathophysiological basis for endometriosis-associated painful symptoms are still uncertain. Little is known about neuroendocrine (NE) ce…

ObjectiveTo investigate how progestogens and combined oral contraceptives change nerve fiber density in peritoneal endometriotic lesions and to identify the types of nerve fibers still present during hormone treatment.DesignLaboratory study…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how hormonal treatment can change nerve fiber density and to identify types of nerve fibers in endometrium and myometrium in women with endometriosis. DESIGN: Laboratory study using human tissue. SETTING: Univers…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is considered to be an inflammatory disease, and macrophages are the most numerous immune cells in endometriotic lesions. However, the mechanisms underlying the elevation of macrophages and their role in the pathog…

Endometriosis is a disease that still presents many puzzles to clinicians and basic research scientists. Until recently, it has been regarded as a condition that arises when normal endometrium adheres to the peritoneal surface and then grow…

BACKGROUND: Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a specific type of endometriosis, which can be associated with more severe pelvic pain than other forms of endometriotic lesions. However, the mechanisms by which pain is generated are no…

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate endometrial biopsy and curettage in detecting small nerve fibers in eutopic endometrium for diagnosis of endometriosis.Study designEndometrial biopsies with precise, consistent technique an…

ObjectiveTo investigate types of nerve fibers in endometrium and myometrium in women with endometriosis.DesignLaboratory study using human tissue.SettingUniversity-based laboratory.Patient(s)Women with and without endometriosis undergoing h…