Female Reproductive Hormones and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer

Abstract

BackgroundGenital Chlamydia infection (GCI) and the associated pathologies have been implicated in tubal infertility. Though the actual pathologic mechanisms are still uncertain, oxidative stress and other factors have been implicated. The purpose of the study was to determine the possible contribution of female reproductive hormones and biomarkers of oxidative stress in genital Chlamydial infection to tubal occlusion.MethodsThis prospective case control study was carried out by recruiting 150 age matched women grouped into infertile Chlamydia positive women (n = 50), fertile Chlamydia positive women (n = 50) and fertile Chlamydia negative women as controls (n = 50). High vaginal swabs and endocervical swabs were collected for screening Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Sera were collected for estimation of Chlamydia trachomatis antibody, female reproductive hormones [Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Oestradiol (E2), Progesterone (P4), Prolactin (PRL)] and biomarkers of oxidative stress [Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and 8-hydroxyl-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Data were analyzed using chi square, analysis of variance and LSD Post hoc to determine mean differences at p = 0.05.ResultsAmong women with GCI, higher levels of LH and 8-OHdG were observed in infertile Chlamydia positive women compared to fertile Chlamydia positive women (p < 0.05). Higher levels of LH and 8-OHdG and lower TAC levels were observed in infertile Chlamydia positive women compared to fertile Chlamydia negative controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionMechanisms including oxidative DNA damage and reduced antioxidant capacity may be involved in the pathology of Chlamydia induced tubal damage.

A Prospective Study to Analyze the Specificity of Chlamydial Heat Shock Protein (Chsp60) Antibodies to Diagnose Tubal Infertility

“…It was suggested that chlamydial antigen might trigger the pro-inflammatory response in host immune cells [12]. The oxidative damage to the DNA and decreased antioxidants concentration may be associated with chlamydia-induced tubal damage [13]. The immunopathology seen in genital tract infections is similar to those elicited by the chlamydial conjunctival infection resulting in scarring trachoma.…”

Alterations of Vaginal Microbiota in Women With Infertility and Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

“…C. trachomatis is recognized as a leading cause of infertility in women ( Nsonwu-Anyanwu et al., 2015 ). Recent in vivo studies demonstrated the link between vaginal microbiota dysbiosis and C. trachomatis infection ( van Houdt et al., 2018 ).…”

Alterations in Levels of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers, Some Serum Interleukins and Hormones in Infertile Women

“…SOD is the enzyme that reacts with superoxide anion radicals to form oxygen and H 2 O 2 , its decline has been shown that women with infertility have insufficient antioxidant defense, this result was in accorded with several studies like the study of Szczepanska et al (2003) that revealed low TAC and significantly reduced SOD levels in infertile women. This reduction in TAC may imply elevated ROS and increased ROS levels imply exhausted antioxidant defense, leads to its inability to scavenge ROS and neutralize their toxic effects (Nsonwu-Anyanwu et al, 2015). MDA represents the end product of polyunsaturated fatty acid oxygenation, is commonly used as the lipid peroxidation level marker and the presence of oxidative stress (Grotto et al, 2009).…”