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

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This literature review examines genetic abnormalities, inflammation, and oxidative stress as contributing factors to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

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This paper is a literature review on the unresolved multifactorial etiology of endometriosis, focusing on how genetic abnormalities, inflammatory activity, and oxidative stress may contribute to disease pathogenesis. It synthesizes evidence from studies examining susceptibility-related genetic variants (including those in detoxification and hormone-related pathways) and from research characterizing chronic inflammatory and oxidative alterations. A key finding is that the reviewed body of work links predisposition to endometriosis with interactions among genetics, inflammation, and oxidative stress, including iron- and NF-κB–related considerations. The main limitation is that, as a review, it does not present new experimental data and the multifactorial mechanisms remain incompletely resolved. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reviews genetic, inflammatory, and oxidative-stress roles in endometriosis pathogenesis, with some genetic references also mentioning adenomyosis.

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Abstract

IntroductionEndometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity.Materials and methodsThe 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.ConclusionsIn 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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Abstract

Introduction Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity.

Materials and methods

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.

Conclusions

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. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Augoulea, A., Alexandrou, A., Creatsa, M. et al. Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the role of genetics, inflammation and oxidative stress. Arch Gynecol Obstet 286, 99–103 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2357-8 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2357-8

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endometriosis

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Endometriosis Genetic Predisposition to Disease Inflammation Oxidative Stress Endometriosis Female Humans Inflammation

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