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. 2023 Feb 3;11(2):450.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11020450.

Atherosclerosis and Endometriosis: The Role of Diet and Oxidative Stress in a Gender-Specific Disorder

Michela Cirillo  1   2 , Flavia Rita Argento  3 , Monica Attanasio  1 , Matteo Becatti  3 , Irene Ladisa  2 , Claudia Fiorillo  3 , Maria Elisabetta Coccia  2   3 , Cinzia Fatini  1   2
Affiliations

Atherosclerosis and Endometriosis: The Role of Diet and Oxidative Stress in a Gender-Specific Disorder

Michela Cirillo et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Background: Accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with endometriosis has been hypothesised, and lifestyle improvement might control cardiovascular risk. We explored cardiometabolic markers and oxidative stress and evaluated the effects of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) in modulating these markers. Methods: In this prospective study, we included 35 women with endometriosis. At baseline (T0) and after 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months from the start of the diet, we investigated cardiometabolic parameters, lifestyle and oxidative stress. Results: After a 3-month intervention with MD, we observed a significant reduction in total cholesterol (p = 0.01) and LDL-c (p = 0.003). We observed at T1 an increase in B12 and E vitamins, folate and zinc. After 6 months, zinc (p = 0.04) and folate (p = 0.08) increased in comparison to T0. A reduction in homocysteine from T0 to T1 (p = 0.01) was found. After 3 months, an increase in Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity tool 1 (RAPA) (p < 0.001) and RAPA 2 was observed (p = 0.009). We observed high levels of oxidative stress markers at baseline. After 6 months of MD, a significant improvement in lymphocyte Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) (p < 0.001) and total antioxidant capacity was observed (p = 0.02). Conclusions: The improvement of lifestyle, and in particular the Mediterranean dietary intervention, allowed the improvement of the metabolic and oxidative profile and overall health-related quality of life.

Keywords: Mediterranean Diet; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; endometriosis; gender medicine; lifestyle; oxidative stress; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Status of Zinc and Vitamins (E, B6, B12 and Folate) in women with endometriosis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in folate, vitamin B12, vitamin E and zinc concentrations from T0 to T1. * p < 0.05.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in homocysteine levels from T0 to T1. * p < 0.05.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mediterranean score adherence at T0 and T1. ** p < 0.001.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity from T0 to T1.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Changes in Oxidative Stress Parameters from T0 to T2 (n = 16). N indicates neutrophil; L, lymphocyte; M, monocyte; RFU, relative fluorescence unit; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TAC, total antioxidant capacity. * p < 0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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