title: Inflammation and nerve fiber interaction in endometriotic pain.
abstract: Endometriosis is an extremely prevalent estrogen-dependent condition characterized by the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, and is often presented with severe pain. Although the relationship between lesion and pain remains unclear, nerve fibers found in close proximity to endometriotic lesions may be related to pain. Also, women with endometriosis pain develop central sensitization. Endometriosis creates an inflammatory environment and recent research is beginning to elucidate the role of inflammation in stimulating peripheral nerve sensitization. In this review, we discuss endometriosis-associated inflammation, peripheral nerve fibers, and assess their potential mechanism of interaction. We propose that an interaction between lesions and nerve fibers, mediated by inflammation, may be important in endometriosis-associated pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland. Electronic address: brett.mckinnon@dkf.unibe.ch.
authors.forename: Brett D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bertschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nick A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Bersinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, Berne CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D018450:Disease Progression; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010388:Pelvis / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens
keywords: endometriosis; inflammation; nerve; pain