Eye antibiotics may ease pain caused by endometriosis

Antibiotics widely used to treat skin and eye infections could ease the pain of endometriosis.

Researchers in Japan have found that a type of bacteria called fusobacterium may be involved in triggering the symptoms of endometriosis. Treating mice that have fusobacterium with antibiotics reduced inflammation and scarring caused by the condition.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that which normally develops in the lining of the womb (and breaks down and bleeds in the same way) develops elsewhere in the body, causing inflammation, pain and scarring.

Mild-to-moderate endometriosis can be treated with anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, as well as contraceptives to suppress the release of oestrogen, which can promote tissue growth.

In more severe cases, women may be offered surgery to remove the tissue — but in 50 per cent of such cases symptoms recur within five years.

Antibiotics widely used to treat skin and eye infections could ease the pain of endometriosis (file image)

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that which normally develops in the lining of the womb (and breaks down and bleeds in the same way) develops elsewhere in the body, causing inflammation, pain and scarring (file image)

Researchers discovered the link between fusobacterium and endometriosis when they analysed tissue samples from 79 women with endometriosis and 76 without, all of whom had undergone surgery at Nagoya University Hospital and Toyota Kosei Hospital in Japan.

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Among those with endometriosis, 64.3 per cent had significantly higher levels of fusobacterium. And 52.4 per cent of those with the bacterium had higher levels in endometrial tissue that had formed outside the uterus.

In contrast, higher levels of the bacterium were found in the uterus of just 7.1 per cent of those without the condition.

Researchers found similar results in mice with endometriosis. Those with fusobacterium in the affected tissue developed more inflammation and scarring.

Fusobacterium is part of the normal community of microbes found in the mouth and throat, digestive system and female genital tract. But if it passes through the mucosal lining of the digestive and genital tract, it can cause infections and inflammation.

The researchers treated the mice with endometriosis with two common antibiotics: metronidazole, a broad spectrum antibiotic prescribed for skin and dental infections; and chloramphenicol, used to clear up superficial eye infections.

The results, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, showed that five days of treatment eradicated fusobacterium, and dampened down inflammation and scarring caused by endometriosis.

Clinical trials of these antibiotic treatments on human patients with endometriosis are now under way at Nagoya University Hospital.

Dr Lucy Whitaker, a clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology at Edinburgh University, said: ‘This is a really interesting study and the results are plausible. However, I think there is much more work that needs to be done to determine whether this type of bacteria really does contribute to the development of endometriosis, and what the role of antibiotics as a treatment might be in the future.’

Secrets of an A-list

This week: Holly Willoughby’s bottom

At the National Television Awards this month, presenter Holly Willoughby wore a gown that showed off her slim arms and toned bottom.

The 42-year-old mother of three took up Pilates after the birth of her second child and is said also to enjoy yoga, kickboxing and swimming. She has said: ‘As long as I’m healthy, that’s good enough. I’m quite active.’

At the NTAs this month, presenter Holly Willoughby wore a gown that showed off her slim arms and toned bottom

What to try: A glute bridge with added ‘marching’ repetitions will define your bottom.

Lie with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Press into your heels and squeeze your bottom as you raise your hips up, so your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Engage your core as you lift one knee towards your chest. Hover, then lower and repeat with the other leg. Repeat ten times, rest for a minute, then do two more sets.

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