A metabonomics approach as a means for identification of potentialbiomarkers for early diagnosis of endometriosis 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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Metabolomic Signature
Metabolomic Signature
Metabolomic signatures are unique metabolite patterns linked to specific biological conditions, identified through metabolomics. They reveal underlying biochemical activities, aiding in disease diagnosis, biomarker development, and personalized medicine. The microbiome significantly affects these signatures, influencing health and disease outcomes through metabolic interactions.
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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 identification of predictive biomarkers for early diagnosis of endometriosis using a minimally invasive, serum-based approach. The researchers utilized proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) metabonomics to analyze serum samples, aiming to distinguish endometriosis patients from healthy controls. The study particularly focused on differences in metabolite profiles to identify markers indicative of the condition.
Who was studied?
The study included 45 women aged under 40, divided into two groups. The first group comprised 22 women diagnosed with early-stage endometriosis (Stages I–II) via laparoscopy, while the control group consisted of 23 age- and BMI-matched healthy women with normal menstrual cycles and proven fertility. Participants with recent hormone therapy or irregular menstrual cycles were excluded. Serum samples were collected during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.
What were the most important findings?
The study identified several metabolites with significantly altered levels in women with endometriosis compared to controls. Increased levels of lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, alanine, leucine, valine, threonine, lysine, glycerophosphatidylcholine, succinic acid, and 2-hydroxybutyrate were observed in the serum of endometriosis patients, while glucose, isoleucine, arginine, and lipid levels were decreased. Multivariate analysis using Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated strong sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (91.3%) in distinguishing endometriosis from controls, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.96. Pathway analysis highlighted arginine and proline metabolism disruptions, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and lysine biosynthesis and degradation. These findings provide a potential non-invasive diagnostic framework and insights into the metabolic disturbances in endometriosis.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
This study offers a promising step toward non-invasive diagnostic methods for endometriosis, reducing reliance on invasive laparoscopy. The identification of metabolite alterations linked to the disease enhances the understanding of its pathophysiology, emphasizing oxidative stress, anaerobic glycolysis, and metabolic reprogramming similar to malignancies. These findings could lead to better clinical tools for early diagnosis and a deeper understanding of the metabolic underpinnings of 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.