Pathogenesis and medical treatment of endometriosis-associated fibrosis

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25462564
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Oita University
• Principal Investigator: Nasu Kaei 大分大学, 医学部, 教授 (30274757)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): ABE WAKANA 大分大学, 医学部, 特任助教 (30457618) ; KAWANO YASUSHI 大分大学, 医学部, 准教授 (40274758) ; NARAHARA HISASHI 大分大学, 医学部, 教授 (60211447) ; KAWANO YUKIE 大分大学, 医学部, 講師 (60516128) ; YUGE AKITOSHI 大分大学, 医学部, 助教 (90452911)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 子宮内膜症 / 瘢痕化 / 薬物療法 / Ras homology / mevalonate / statin

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Endometriosis, a disease affecting 3-10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue. Histologically, this disease is characterized by endometrial gland and stroma with surrounding dense fibrous tissue. During the development of endometriotic lesions, excess fibrosis may lead to scarring and to alteration of the tissue function. To understand the pathogenesis of endometriosis, we established an in-vitro model of endometriosis-associated fibrosis. We found that the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated signaling pathway is involved in this mechanism. We also evaluated some agents that act on this signaling pathway for the medical treatment of endometriosis.

Free Research Field

子宮内膜症