Obesity associated advanced glycation end products within the human uterine cavity adversely impact endometrial function and embryo implantation competence

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDo obese levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) within the uterine cavity detrimentally alter tissue function in embryo implantation and placental development?SUMMARY ANSWERObese levels of AGEs activate inflammatory signaling (p65 NF κB) within endometrial epithelial cells and alter their function, cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in endometrial stromal cells and impair decidualization, compromise implantation of blastocyst mimics and inhibit trophoblast invasion.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYObese women experience a higher incidence of infertility, recurrent miscarriage and pregnancy complications compared with lean women. Oocyte donation cycles suggest a detrimental uterine environment plays a role in these outcomes.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONUterine lavage and tissues from lean (BMI 19.5 –24.9,n = 17) and obese (BMI> 30,n = 16) women examined. Cell culture experiments utilizing human endometrial epithelial, trophectoderm and trophoblast cell lines and primary human stromal cells used to examine the functional impact of obese levels of AGEs.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSLevels of AGEs examined within uterine lavage assessed by ELISA to determine differences between lean and obese women. Expression and localization of AGEs, receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and NF κB within endometrial tissues obtained from lean and obese women determined by immunohistochemistry. Endometrial epithelial cells (ECC-1), primary human stromal cells and trop...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research