Hyperinnervation in intestinal deep infiltrating endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the extent and types of innervation of endometriotic lesions in various regions of the bowel.


METHODS
Retrospective nonrandomized immunohistochemical study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3.


METHODS
University-based laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty-six women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy because of deep infiltrating endometriosis in various regions of the bowel, including the sigmoid colon, appendix, and rectum.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of endometriotic specimens with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5, neurofilament, nerve growth factor, nerve growth factor receptors tyrosine kinase receptor A and p75, growth-associated protein 43, substance P, neuropeptide Y, and vasoactive intestinal peptide to demonstrate myelinated, unmyelinated, sensory, and autonomic nerve fibers.


RESULTS
There were significantly more nerve fibers in intestinal deep infiltrating endometriosis (mean [SD] 172.6 [94.2]/mm(2)) than in other deep infiltrating endometriotic lesions (e.g., cul-de-sac and uterosacral ligament) (67.6 [65.1]/mm(2); p<.01). Intestinal deep infiltrating endometriosis was innervated abundantly by sensory Adelta,sensory C, cholinergic, and adrenergic nerve fibers. Nerve growth factor, tyrosine kinase receptor A, and p75 were strongly expressed in endometriotic lesions, and growth-associated protein-43 was also strongly expressed in the endometriosis-associated nerve fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
The hyperinnervation in intestinal deep infiltrating endometriosis may help to explain why patients with this type of lesion have more severe pain.
Wang
Guoyun
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China. wangguoy@sdu.edu.cn
Tokushige
Natsuko
N
Russell
Peter
P
Dubinovsky
Sylvia
S
Markham
Robert
R
Fraser
Ian S
IS
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA