Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications
Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue beyond the uterus. In addition to gynecological manifestations, many endometriosis patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms, indicating a potential association b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/12/1696 |
| _version_ | 1827573849577750528 |
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| author | Anjeza Xholli Francesca Cremonini Isabella Perugi Ambrogio Pietro Londero Angelo Cagnacci |
| author_facet | Anjeza Xholli Francesca Cremonini Isabella Perugi Ambrogio Pietro Londero Angelo Cagnacci |
| author_sort | Anjeza Xholli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue beyond the uterus. In addition to gynecological manifestations, many endometriosis patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms, indicating a potential association between gut health and the disease. Recent studies have revealed alterations in the gut microbiota of individuals with endometriosis, including reduced diversity, microbial composition imbalances, and pathogenic bacteria. These changes can disrupt immune function, increase inflammation, and contribute to the chronic inflammatory state observed in endometriosis. Moreover, dysregulation of intestinal permeability may further exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms in affected individuals. Understanding the role of the gut microbiota and intestinal permeability in endometriosis can provide valuable insights into disease pathogenesis, aid in non-invasive diagnostic approaches, and open new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Probiotics, in particular, have shown promise in improving endometriosis-associated pain symptoms and reducing endometriotic lesions in animal models. This review suggests that additional research and well-designed clinical trials are necessary to validate the potential diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of manipulating the gut microbiota in managing endometriosis and its gastrointestinal symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life for those affected. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:27:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-77ac8f02bac4479d88ed691ce4a36192 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:27:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj.art-77ac8f02bac4479d88ed691ce4a361922023-12-22T14:31:33ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472023-12-011612169610.3390/ph16121696Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic ImplicationsAnjeza Xholli0Francesca Cremonini1Isabella Perugi2Ambrogio Pietro Londero3Angelo Cagnacci4Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, ItalyAcademic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, ItalyAcademic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Infant Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, ItalyAcademic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, ItalyEndometriosis is a common inflammatory disease affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue beyond the uterus. In addition to gynecological manifestations, many endometriosis patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms, indicating a potential association between gut health and the disease. Recent studies have revealed alterations in the gut microbiota of individuals with endometriosis, including reduced diversity, microbial composition imbalances, and pathogenic bacteria. These changes can disrupt immune function, increase inflammation, and contribute to the chronic inflammatory state observed in endometriosis. Moreover, dysregulation of intestinal permeability may further exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms in affected individuals. Understanding the role of the gut microbiota and intestinal permeability in endometriosis can provide valuable insights into disease pathogenesis, aid in non-invasive diagnostic approaches, and open new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Probiotics, in particular, have shown promise in improving endometriosis-associated pain symptoms and reducing endometriotic lesions in animal models. This review suggests that additional research and well-designed clinical trials are necessary to validate the potential diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of manipulating the gut microbiota in managing endometriosis and its gastrointestinal symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life for those affected.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/12/1696endometriosisgut microbiotaestrogendysbiosisprobioticsleaky gut |
| spellingShingle | Anjeza Xholli Francesca Cremonini Isabella Perugi Ambrogio Pietro Londero Angelo Cagnacci Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications Pharmaceuticals endometriosis gut microbiota estrogen dysbiosis probiotics leaky gut |
| title | Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_full | Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_fullStr | Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_short | Gut Microbiota and Endometriosis: Exploring the Relationship and Therapeutic Implications |
| title_sort | gut microbiota and endometriosis exploring the relationship and therapeutic implications |
| topic | endometriosis gut microbiota estrogen dysbiosis probiotics leaky gut |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/12/1696 |
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