title: Role of iron overload-induced macrophage apoptosis in the pathogenesis of peritoneal endometriosis.
abstract: This article presents an overview of the involvement of iron overload-induced nitric oxide (NO) overproduction in apoptosis of peritoneal macrophages of women with endometriosis. We have postulated that the peritoneal iron overload originated from retrograde menstruation or bleeding lesions in the ectopic endometrium, which may contribute to the development of endometriosis by a wide range of mechanisms, including oxidative damage and chronic inflammation. Excessive NO production may also be associated with impaired clearance of endometrial cells by macrophages, which promotes cell growth in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore, further research of the mechanisms and consequences of macrophage apoptosis in endometriosis helps discover novel therapeutic strategies that are designed to prevent progression of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of ImmunologyFaculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil 5615731567, IranDepartment of MidwiferyIslamic Azad University, Astara Branch, Astara, Iran leilapirdel@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pirdel
authors.affiliation: Department of ImmunologyFaculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil 5615731567, IranDepartment of MidwiferyIslamic Azad University, Astara Branch, Astara, Iran.
authors.forename: Manijeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirdel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide