How is small bowel permeability in endometriosis patients? a case control pilot study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Gynecology
• Immunology

Background:

• Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting women of reproductive age.
• Small bowel (SB) permeability and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) may contribute to persistent low-grade inflammation and endometriosis development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate small bowel (SB) permeability in endometriosis patients compared to healthy controls (HC).
• To assess the correlation between SB permeability markers and the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Main Methods:

• SB permeability was assessed by measuring urinary lactulose (La) and mannitol (Ma) excretion and their ratio (L/M) using high-performance liquid chromatography.
• Plasma levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were measured.
• Nutritional, gastroenterological, and quality of life assessments were conducted using validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Endometriosis patients reported significantly higher levels of chronic pelvic pain compared to HC.
• Significantly elevated plasma LPS levels were observed in endometriosis patients versus HC.
• No significant differences were found in anthropometric, nutritional, or gastrointestinal functional disease characteristics between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Intestinal permeability appears to be abnormal in patients with endometriosis.
• Gut barrier dysfunction, evidenced by increased LPS levels, may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.