COX isozymes and non-uniform neoangiogenesis: What is their role in endometriosis?

Abstract

This literature review compared the efficacy in of NSAIDs with a placebo in pain relief and disease regression of endometriosis. Despite the poor evidence found, the results showed that NSAIDs were more effective in pain relief with regressive effects on the endometriotic lesions compared to placebo. We postulate herein that COX-2 is chiefly responsible for pain whilst COX-1 is responsible mainly for the establishment of endometriotic lesions. Hence, there must be a temporal difference in the activation of the two isozymes. We differentiated between two pathways in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins by the COX isozymes referred to as 'direct' and indirect', supporting our initial theory. Finally, we postulate that there are two stages of neoangiogenesis in the formation of endometriotic lesions; 'founding' that first establishes blood supply and 'maintenance' that upkeeps it. This is fertile ground for further research in a niche that needs more literature. Its aspects may be diversely explored. The theories we propose offer information for a more targeted treatment of endometriosis.

Keywords: Endometriosis; Inflammation; NSAIDs; Pain-relief.