Elevated levels of whole blood nickel in a group of Sri Lankan women with endometriosis: a case control study Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis involves ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and infertility. Validated and Promising Interventions include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Low Nickel Diet, and Metronidazole therapy.
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Metals
Metals
OverviewHeavy metals play a significant and multifaceted role in the pathogenicity of microbial species. Their involvement can be viewed from two primary perspectives: the toxicity of heavy metals to microbes and the exploitation of heavy metals by microbial pathogens to establish infections and evade the host immune response. Understanding these aspects is critical for both […]
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Karen Pendergrass
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
What Was Studied?
This study investigated the association between whole blood levels of nickel, cadmium, and lead in women with and without endometriosis. Specifically, it aimed to determine whether these heavy metals, known to have estrogenic properties, could be linked to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The research involved analyzing the whole blood levels of these metals in 50 women with endometriosis and 50 age-matched controls who were confirmed to be free of the condition via laparoscopy or laparotomy.
Who Was Studied?
The study focused on a group of Sri Lankan women of reproductive age who underwent laparotomy or laparoscopy. The participants were divided into two groups: cases (women diagnosed with endometriosis, n=50) and controls (women without endometriosis, n=50). None of the participants were current smokers, and the groups were matched for age and body mass index.
Most Important Findings
The study revealed significantly elevated levels of nickel in the whole blood of women with endometriosis compared to controls (2.6 μg/L vs. 0.8 μg/L, p=0.016). This finding aligns with previous evidence that nickel, a potent metalloestrogen, can activate estrogen receptors and may contribute to the persistence of ectopic endometrial tissue. In contrast, the blood levels of cadmium and lead did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. The presence of nickel in ectopic endometrial tissue, previously demonstrated by the researchers, supports the hypothesis that hematogenous routes could transport nickel to ectopic sites. Despite these findings, the study’s small sample size limits the ability to conclude definitively that nickel is an etiological factor for endometriosis.
Greatest Implications
The discovery of higher nickel levels in women with endometriosis introduces a novel avenue for understanding the role of environmental pollutants, particularly metalloestrogens, in the condition’s pathogenesis. It emphasizes the need for larger-scale studies to explore nickel’s potential as a biomarker or contributor to endometriosis. Furthermore, this research underscores the importance of addressing environmental and occupational exposures to nickel, especially for women of reproductive age, as part of preventive strategies for endometriosis.
Nickel
Bacteria regulate transition metal levels through complex mechanisms to ensure survival and adaptability, influencing both their physiology and the development of antimicrobial strategies.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis involves ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and infertility. Validated and Promising Interventions include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Low Nickel Diet, and Metronidazole therapy.
Metalloestrogens
Metalloestrogens are metals that activate the estrogen receptor in the absence of estradiol.