The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of endometriosis

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Abstract

This review article examines the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and associated infertility, and discusses new treatment strategies aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with this pathology and the implementation of their reproductive life planning.

Genital endometriosis is one of the most pressing issues in modern gynecology. Being prevalent in 5–10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, this disease causes chronic pelvic pain, infertility and miscarriages, which leads to a significant deterioration in the quality of life and inevitably affects social, professional and psychological aspects. The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unexplored due to its complexity. To date, there are a number of mutually exclusive and contradictory hypotheses and theories attempting to explain the etiology and pathogenesis of this mysterious disease. Oxidative stress is likely involved in various aspects of endometriosis. Numerous experiments conducted in recent years using anti-hyperproliferation drugs have shown that the development and progression of endometriosis may be a consequence of an imbalance of reactive oxygen species. There is growing evidence for the role of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction in reducing ovarian reserve in patients with endometriomas. This causes deterioration in the quality of oocytes, which negatively affects embryo development and leads to infertility.

Therapies targeting oxidative stress offer promising prospects in the treatment of endometriosis, allowing for both suppressing the progression of endometriotic lesions and reducing the associated chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

We analyzed 68 literature sources, both domestic and foreign ones, using various databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, UpToDate).

About the authors

Elena V. Misharina

The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott

Author for correspondence.
Email: mishellena@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0276-7112
SPIN-code: 7350-5674

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Maria I. Yarmolinskaya

The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott

Email: m.yarmolinskaya@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6551-4147
SPIN-code: 3686-3605

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

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