Rich innervation of deep infiltrating endometriosis
G Wang, N Tokushige, R Markham… - Human …, 2009 - academic.oup.com
G Wang, N Tokushige, R Markham, IS Fraser
Human reproduction, 2009•academic.oup.comBACKGROUND Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a specific type of endometriosis,
which can be associated with more severe pelvic pain than other forms of endometriotic
lesions. However, the mechanisms by which pain is generated are not well understood.
METHODS DIE (n= 31) and peritoneal endometriotic (n= 40) lesions were sectioned and
stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5,
neurofilament, nerve growth factor (NGF), NGF receptors tyrosine kinase receptor-A (Trk-A) …
which can be associated with more severe pelvic pain than other forms of endometriotic
lesions. However, the mechanisms by which pain is generated are not well understood.
METHODS DIE (n= 31) and peritoneal endometriotic (n= 40) lesions were sectioned and
stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5,
neurofilament, nerve growth factor (NGF), NGF receptors tyrosine kinase receptor-A (Trk-A) …
BACKGROUND
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a specific type of endometriosis, which can be associated with more severe pelvic pain than other forms of endometriotic lesions. However, the mechanisms by which pain is generated are not well understood.
METHODS
DIE (n = 31) and peritoneal endometriotic (n = 40) lesions were sectioned and stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5, neurofilament, nerve growth factor (NGF), NGF receptors tyrosine kinase receptor-A (Trk-A) and p75, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide and tyrosine hydroxylase to demonstrate myelinated, unmyelinated, sensory and autonomic nerve fibres.
RESULTS
There were significantly more nerve fibres in DIE (67.6 ± 65.1/mm2) than in peritoneal endometriotic lesions (16.3 ± 10.0/mm2) (P < 0.01). DIE was innervated abundantly by sensory Aδ, sensory C, cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibres; NGF, Trk-A and p75 were strongly expressed in endometriotic glands and stroma of DIE.
CONCLUSIONS
The rich innervation of DIE may help to explain why patients with this type of lesion have severe pelvic pain.
Oxford University Press