Hakan Kula, MD
Immune Dynamics in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis
In a study published in the Cells, Khashchenko et. al investigated the potential role of immune cell imbalances in adolescent peritoneal endometriosis, and their potential impact on disease progression and response to progestogen therapy. This study provides new insights into how immune imbalances in adolescents with PE may be linked to disease symptoms and development. By analyzing immune cell profiles in 50 adolescent girls with PE and comparing them to those without, researchers found that inflammatory immune cells, especially CD86+ monocytes, were elevated in the PE group and…
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Dietary Zinc Intake and Endometriosis Risk in American Women
In a study published in the BMC Public Health, Xie et al. investigated the potential effect of zinc intake and the prevalence of endometriosis with a cross-sectional study. The findings revealed a significant positive association between higher dietary zinc intake and endometriosis prevalence, particularly among women consuming more than 14 mg/day of zinc. Sensitivity analyses upheld these results, demonstrating that the association remained consistent across subgroups defined by demographic and lifestyle variables. This robust association underscores zinc's potential role in immune modulation and oxidative stress…
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A Key Modulator of Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in Endometriosis: Soluble MICA
In a study published in the American Journal of the Reproductive Immunology, Abrao et al. investigated the potential effect of MHC Class I related MICA molecules at the pathogenesis of the endometriosis. This study highlights a novel role of soluble MICA (sMICA) in endometriosis, showing its contribution to NK cell dysfunction and impaired immune response. Women with endometriosis exhibited elevated levels of sMICA, especially in advanced disease stages, correlating with reduced NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN-γ expression. This suppression of NK function likely contributes to…
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Metabolic and Cellular Changes in Adolescent Peritoneal Endometriosis
In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Khashchenko et al. explored the association of cellular and exosomal markers of glycolysis, mitochondrial biogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, and estrogen signaling in peritoneal endometriosis among adolescents to understand early disease-related metabolic reprogramming. This case–control study focused on adolescent girls aged 13–17 and total of 60 participants were included: 45 with laparoscopically confirmed peritoneal endometriosis and 15 with paramesonephric cysts as controls. Samples of peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, endometrioid foci, and normal peritoneum were collected.…
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Macrophage Phenotypes Induced by Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Endometriosis
In a study published in the Biomolecules, Martínez-Zamora et al. investigated the potential effect of circulating sEVs in the plasma of well-characterized patients with endometriosis on macrophage phenotype. This study explores how sEVs, which are tiny particles found in the blood of women with endometriosis, might influence immune cells called macrophages. These immune cells can adopt different roles, and in endometriosis, they often shift to a type that helps the disease progression. They studied the effects of these sEVs on macrophages, using human THP-1…
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Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in Endometriosis of Various Locations
In a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Ogneva et al. investigated the final stage of energy production in cellular metabolism—specifically, the rate of oxygen absorption during oxidative phosphorylation—in endometrial biopsies from patients without endometriosis and those with endometriosis in various localizations. This study aimed to explore how cells in endometriosis lesions produce energy, comparing different types of endometriosis, including adenomyosis and endometriomas. Researchers analyzed how well these cells absorb oxygen during energy production at oxidative phosphorylation…
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Unviling the role of PD-1-PD-L1 Pathway in Endometriosis Progression and Therapy
The role of immune system in Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease is complex, involving both protective and harmful effects. A key player in this process is PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), a protein found on T cells that regulates immune responses by inhibiting T and B lymphocyte activity when it binds to its ligand, PD-L1. Increased levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 can lead to immune evasion, reducing the effectiveness of the immune system in eliminating ectopic tissue. However, the exact mechanisms behind this…
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Intrinsic Potential Factors in Retrograde Menstruation
The mechanistic model of endometriosis pathogenesis suggests that anatomical factors promoting retrograde menstruation are crucial and biologically sound. This model is supported by the strong link between obstructive Müllerian anomalies and endometriosis, indicating a causal relationship between the amount of refluxed blood and the development of the condition. However, despite extensive debate and research, evidence supporting this model is limited, often of low quality, and primarily from cross-sectional studies that cannot establish causality. Furthermore, evidence against this model appears to be…
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Sleep Disorders and Endometriosis
A new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology by a team lead by Bruno et al., reveals that endometriosis is associated with decreased sleep quality and hyperarousal. Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting millions of women, often causing severe pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility. In addition to these symptoms, it has a significant impact on quality of life, with many women experiencing increased levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Poor sleep can disrupt daily functioning, affecting…
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Endometriomas and the Severity of Endometriosis
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine by Dr.Nezhad's group reveals that endometriomas, a form of deeply infiltrating endometriosis, are strongly associated with advanced stages of the disease. The authors investigated how the presence of endometriomas—whether on one side or both—correlates with more advanced stages of the disease, and how detecting these cysts before surgery can aid in planning, improve patient advice, and handle complex cases, especially those involving fertility. Medical records from 222 patients who had surgery for endometriosis between…
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