Reduction of blood nitric oxide levels is associated with clinical improvement of the chronic pelvic pain related to endometriosis
Braz. j. med. biol. res
; 48(4): 363-369, 4/2015. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-744359
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
The objective of this prospective study was to determine the plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) in women with chronic pelvic pain secondary to endometriosis (n=24) and abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (n=16). NO levels were measured in plasma collected before and 1 month after treatment. Pretreatment NO levels (μM) were lower in healthy volunteers (47.0±12.7) than in women with myofascial pain (64.2±5.0, P=0.01) or endometriosis (99.5±12.9, P<0.0001). After treatment, plasma NO levels were reduced only in the endometriosis group (99.5±12.9 vs 61.6±5.9, P=0.002). A correlation between reduction of pain intensity and reduction of NO level was observed in the endometriosis group [correlation = 0.67 (95%CI = 0.35 to 0.85), P<0.0001]. Reduction of NO levels was associated with an increase of pain threshold in this group [correlation = -0.53 (-0.78 to -0.14), P<0.0001]. NO levels appeared elevated in women with chronic pelvic pain diagnosed as secondary to endometriosis, and were directly associated with reduction in pain intensity and increase in pain threshold after treatment. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of NO in the pathophysiology of pain in women with endometriosis and its eventual association with central sensitization.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Health context:
Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas
/
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
Health problem:
Goal 9: Noncommunicable diseases and mental health
/
Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Pain Threshold
/
Pelvic Pain
/
Endometriosis
/
Chronic Pain
/
Nitric Oxide
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. med. biol. res
Journal subject:
Biology
/
Medicine
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade de Fortaleza/BR