Somatic Stem Cells in Endometriosis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Human endometrium is a very dynamic tissue characterized by cyclical process of proliferation, differentiation and cellular shedding as part of each menstrual cycle. This issue suggests the presence of somatic stem cells. Endometriosis is characterized by presence of endometrium outside the uterine cavity. The existence of a somatic stem cell population in endometrium could explain the incorrect proliferation of these cells, which would lead to formation of endometriotic foci.

Detailed Description
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Throughout the life of the woman, the endometrium undergoes a series of continuous modifications that require a highly accurate feedback mechanism and specialized and must be based on the activity of the stem cell population. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic disease characterized by the presence of functional endometrium outside the uterine cavity, mainly in the peritoneum and ovary (Giudice and Kao, 2004). It affects 6-10% of women of reproductive age, often resulting in a series of gynecological problems, including dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain and infertility. The nature of endometriosis suggests that the initiation of ectopic endometrial lesions may be due to stem or progenitor cells, which is consistent with the theory of retrograde menstruation (Starzinski-Powitz et al. 2001; Leyendecker et al. 2002, Gargett, 2006; Gargett, 2007, Sasson and Taylor, 2008). To date, no direct evidence of the role of somatic stem cells of the endometrium in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. However, numerous studies show that ectopic endometrial cells implant in many established models used for the study of endometriosis.(Masuda et al., 2007b; Sasson and Taylor, 2008; Gargett y Masuda.,2010)

Official Title
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Identification, Characterization and Isolation of Somatic Stem Cells in Human Endometrium of Women With Endometriosis

Conditions
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Endometriosis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: genetic analysis


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for patients with endometriosis: Female patients with ovarian endometriosis, peritoneal and recto-vaginal. Aged between 20 and 40. Signing of informed consent for collection and storage of biological samples. Exclusion Criteria: Contraindications for endometrial biopsy. Failure to sign informed consent for collection and storage of biological samples.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| ARM 1<br>ENDOMETRIAL SAMPLE | Other: genetic analysis<br>* To identify by flow cytometry through technique of Side Population the population of somatic stem cells present in both human endometrial eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with ovarian endometriosis, peritoneal and recto-vaginal. In vitro culture conditions for cell proliferation. To characterize the somatic stem cell population using techniques of endometriotic cell and molecular biology. Compare the results obtained from patients with endometriosis with control patients (without endometriosis) earlier work by our group.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Characterization of endometrial stem cells through Flow Citometry and Side Population techniques and In vitro culture cellular proliferation to then characterize the cell population through molecular and cellular techniques. |  | TWO YEARS |