The effect of stress on immune system and the progression of endometriosis.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26462479
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: YOSHINO OSAMU 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 准教授 (00466757)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 子宮内膜症 / ストレス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Endometriosis is known as an inflammatory disease, and macrophages are involved in inflammation. Using human peritoneal macrophages, activation of nicotinic acethylcholine receptor (nAchR) led to suppress of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages in vitro. A mouse endometriosis model exhibited the effect of activation of nAchR on suppression of endometriotic lesions.
As Ach is known to be a transmitter of parasympathetic nerves, we hypothesized that in endometriosis patients, sympathetic nerves could be activated compared to parasympathetic nerves. We evaluated the condition of sympathetic/parasympathetic nerves in patients, and found the trend that serum concentration of noradrenaline, and the trait anxiety is higher in endometriosis patients rather than in non-endometriosis patients.

Free Research Field

生殖免疫