Serum paraoxonase-1 activity in women with endometriosis and its relationship with the stage of the disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated enzyme that prevents oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The aims of the study were to (i) compare the serum PON-1 activity in women with endometriosis versus controls and (ii) assess whether PON-1 activity can be used as a diagnostic test for endometriosis. METHODS: A total of 87 women who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy were divided into groups by visual diagnosis at surgery: control patients (n 5 40) with no pathologic findings; endometriosis sufferers with minimal to mild (n 5 24) and moderate to severe (n 5 23) stage. Serum PON-1 activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels were measured by iodometric assay. Serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL and LDL levels were also determined. RESULTS: PON-1 activity was significantly lower whereas LOOH levels were significantly higher in women with moderate to severe endometriosis than in women with minimal to mild endometriosis and controls, and in women with minimal to mild endometriosis compared with control groups (P < 0.0001, for all). A significant negative correlation was found between PON-1 activity and stage of the disease (r520.74, P < 0.0001). PON-1 activity and HDL levels were decreased whereas LOOH, TG, TC and LDL levels increased in all women with endometriosis versus controls (all P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced serum PON-1 activity and increased LOOH might contribute to the increased susceptibility for the development of atherosclerosis. PON-1 activity can be used as a diagnostic test to detect endometriosis.

Association Between Endometriosis and Hypercholesterolemia or Hypertension

“…This association was also consistent with earlier case-control studies discussed above, [9][10][11] which found that women with endometriosis had higher level of LDL compared with women without endometriosis. Because the previous studies were cross-sectional, it was unknown whether higher LDL could increase the risk of endometriosis or the presence of endometriosis could result in higher level of LDL.…”

“…36,37 In addition, the association observed between endometriosis and hypercholesterolemia was consistent with earlier casecontrol studies. [9][10][11] The largest sample size among these studies, however, was 40 cases and 80 controls.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] Several case-control studies have found that women with endometriosis had higher serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or oxidized LDL compared with controls. [9][10][11] It is possible that chronic inflammation, such as that associated with endometriosis, could impact lipid metabolism through various mechanisms and lead to high LDL levels 12,13 -the primary form of hypercholesterolemia.…”

Oxidative Stress Markers in IVF Patients and Their Association with Pregnancy Results

“…15,16 Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an oxidative enzyme found in phagocytes, and it is an essential part of the anti-microbial system and inflammatory regulation 17 . MPO is a heme enzyme that uses the oxidizing potential of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide to convert chloride ion to hypochlorous acid (HOCI) and other ROS.…”

Efeitos do sistema intra-uterino de Levonorgestrel sobre marcadores de risco cardiovascular de pacientes com endometriose: estudo comparativo com o análogo do GnRH

“…Atualmente, poucos autores compararam o perfil lipídico basal de mulheres portadoras de endometriose com controles, porém nenhum deles avaliou as pacientes sem o efeito de medicações que potencialmente podem alterar a síntese de lipoproteínas (1,10,11). Devido a esta limitação, têm sido descritos desde um perfil lipídico desfavorável até ausência de alteração nestas variáveis (1,30,46,47).…”