Lesion Genotype Modifies High-Fat Diet Effects on Endometriosis Development in Mice

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent gynecologic disorder that affects reproductive-aged women and to a lesser extent, post-menopausal women on hormone therapy. The condition is associated with systemic and local immune dysfunctions. While its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, endometriosis has a genetic component and propensity for the disease is subject to environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle influences. Previously, we showed that high-fat diet (HFD) increased ectopic lesion numbers, concurrent with systemic and peritoneal changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress status, in immunocompetent recipient mice ip administered with endometrial fragments null for Kruppel-like factor 9 gene. Herein, we determined whether HFD modifies lesion parameters, when recipient peritoneal environment is challenged with ectopic wild-type (WT) endometrial fragments, the latter simulating retrograde menstruation common in women during the menstrual period. WT endometrium-recipient mice fed HFD (45% kcal from fat) showed reduced lesion incidence, numbers, and volumes, in the absence of changes in systemic ovarian steroid hormone and insulin levels, relative to those fed the control diet (CD, 17% kcal from fat). Lesions from HFD- and CD-fed recipients demonstrated comparable gene expression for steroid hormone receptors (Esr and Pgr) and cytokines (Il-6, Il-8, and CxCL4) and similar levels of DNA oxidative biomarkers. HFD moderately altered serum (3-nitrotyrosine and methionine/homocysteine) and peritoneal (reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione) pro-oxidative status but had no effect on peritoneal inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor alpha and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) mediators. Results indicate that lesion genotype modifies dietary effects on disease establishment and/or progression and if translated, could be important for provision of nutritional guidelines to women with predisposition to, or affected by endometriosis.

Automated summary

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disorder affected by genetic and environmental factors. Research suggests that a high-fat diet may reduce lesion incidence and numbers, but the effect varies depending on lesion genotype. These findings could be significant in providing nutritional guidelines for women with or predisposed to endometriosis.