Endometriosis NEWS.Direct!

NEWS: Study Reports Effectiveness of High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in Abdominal Wall Endometriosis Treatment

The Editorial Team — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:28:25 +0000

A recent study published in the European Journal of Radiology reports that ultrasound (US)-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation technique is safe and effective for treating abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE). Yang Wang from the Department of Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, and co-researchers conducted the study to assess the potential of US-guided HIFU in treating [...]

Acupuncture May be Effective in Relieving Endometriosis-associated Pain

The Editorial Team — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:00:25 +0000

There is evidence in literature on the benefits of acupuncture in relieving pain related to oocyte retrieval and improving pregnancy outcomes of IVF treatment, as well as aiding the management of male subfertility, ovulation disorders, menopausal symptoms, primary dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis. However, most of the findings were from non-randomised uncontrolled trials; and the few randomised [...]

Letrozole-Norethisterone Acetate Combination Therapy Suggested for Colorectal Endometriosis Management

The Editorial Team — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:58:12 +0000

Several studies have reported the efficacy of aromatase inhibitors in treating endometriosis; however, their use in mainstream clinical practice is still considered experimental. Now, a recent prospective pilot study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology has reported the efficacy of the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, in combination with norethisterone acetate [...]

Short-term Low-dose Oestrogen Add-back Therapy to GnRHa Effective in Treating Endometriosis

The Editorial Team — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 07:07:40 +0000

Endometriosis, an oestrogen dependent disease, is commonly treated using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), which cause a hypo-oestrogenic state by down regulation of pituitary GnRH receptors. However, the use of GnRHa may lead to the development of secondary hypo-oestrogenic side effects, which could be reduced by add-back therapy. A recent retrospective cohort study published in [...]

Experimental data suggests Mifepristone-loaded Implant may hold Promise in Long-term Management of Endometriosis

The Editorial Team — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:46:03 +0000

Mifepristone, a progesterone antagonist, holds wide therapeutic applications in managing various cancers, fibroids and endometriosis and as an abortifacient agent for cervical priming. A new study published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences reports that subcutaneous implantation of novel mifepristone-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL)/Pluronic F68 capsules could serve as an effective long-term treatment strategy in the [...]

NEWS: Study Identifies Somatostatin Receptor Over-expression in Endometriosis Patients

The Editorial Team — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:44:16 +0000

Somatostatin (sst) has a major role in both physiological and pathological cell proliferation, apart from angiogenesis, and is known to exert its effect through 5 G protein-coupled receptors, known as sst1-5. Considered to be the first to suggest the over-expression and functional significance of the three somatostatin receptors, sst1, sst2 and sst5, in endometriosis patients, [...]

Postoperative Long-term Use of Oral Contraceptive Pills may Reduce Recurrence of Endometriosis-related Dysmenorrhoea

The Editorial Team — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 06:18:13 +0000

A new prospective, randomised, controlled study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility has validated the effectiveness of long-term use of oral contraceptives (OCs) in reducing the severity and intensity of recurrent endometriosis-related dysmenorrhoea following surgery. Renato Seracchioli and coworkers from the Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgery Unit, University of Bologna, Italy, performed the study on 311 [...]

Study Demonstrates Therapeutic Application of Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate against Endometriosis

The Editorial Team — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:36:57 +0000

The increased activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), a pro-inflammatory transcription factor, is documented in endometrial lesions and peritoneal macrophages of endometriosis patients. Now, a recent in vitro study reports that pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an anti-oxidant and a potent inhibitor of NF-κB, could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for endometriosis. The findings of the study [...]

Study Reports Link between Impaired E-Cadherin and β-Catenin Expression and Endometriosis-associated Infertility

The Editorial Team — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:15:26 +0000

Numerous studies have linked adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and β-catenin, to endometriosis development; however, the role of these molecules in infertility is unclear. Now, a recent study reports that altered down-regulation of E-cadherin and β-catenin expression, in the mid-secretory endometrium could play a role in infertility in endometriosis patients. The findings of the study, published in [...]

Link between Increased Leptin Levels and Endometriosis Identified

The Editorial Team — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:21:26 +0000

Leptin and adiponectin protein hormones are speculated to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, one of the leading causes of infertility. A new cross-sectional study, published in the recent issue of Gynecological Endocrinology, confirms that increased leptin levels in the peritoneal fluid (PF) contribute to the initiation and development of pelvic endometriosis. [...]