Presence of metalloestrogens in ectopic endometrial tissue Original paper
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Karen Pendergrass
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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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Karen Pendergrass
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Karen Pendergrass
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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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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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Karen Pendergrass
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Fact-checked 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 presence of metalloestrogens—heavy metals with estrogenic effects—in ectopic endometrial tissue. Metalloestrogens, such as cadmium, nickel, and lead, have been implicated in estrogen-dependent diseases like endometriosis. The study aimed to quantify these metals in ectopic endometrial tissues from women diagnosed with endometriosis, using advanced analytical techniques.
Who Was Studied?
The study included 50 women of reproductive age who had endometriosis confirmed through laparotomy or laparoscopy. The participants were patients from a gynecology unit at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Samples of ectopic endometrial tissue were collected from these women during surgical procedures, and the disease severity was classified based on the Revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification system.
What Were the Most Important Findings?
The study found significant levels of three metalloestrogens—cadmium (2.861 µg/kg), nickel (17.547 µg/kg), and lead (25.785 µg/kg)—in all ectopic endometrial tissue samples analyzed. Among these, lead exhibited the highest concentration. The study is notable for being the first to report the quantitative detection of metalloestrogens in ectopic endometrial tissue. Notably, the presence of these metals varied slightly depending on the tissue site, such as the wall of an endometrioma or nodules in the pelvic region, though these differences were not statistically significant. The findings suggest a potential role for environmental metalloestrogens in the persistence and progression of endometriosis.
What Are the Greatest Implications of This Study?
The detection of metalloestrogens in ectopic endometrial tissue underscores their role in the etiology and maintenance of endometriosis. These metals may act as endocrine disruptors, binding to estrogen receptors in ectopic tissue and mimicking estrogenic effects, thereby contributing to the persistence of the disease. The findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate the mechanistic pathways by which metalloestrogens influence endometriosis. Clinicians should consider environmental exposures and diet as a factor in managing and preventing this condition.
Metalloestrogens
Metalloestrogens are metals that activate the estrogen receptor in the absence of estradiol.
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.