Eye antibiotics may ease pain caused by endometriosis

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

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

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that that normally develops in the uterine lining (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, and with contraceptives to suppress the release of estrogen, which can promote tissue growth.

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

Researchers discovered the link between fusobacterium and endometriosis when they analyzed 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.

Of those with endometriosis, 64.3 percent had significantly higher levels of fusobacterium. And 52.4 percent of those with the bacteria had higher levels in endometrial tissue that had formed outside the uterus.

In contrast, higher levels of the bacteria were found in the uterus of only 7.1 percent 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 mucous membranes of the digestive tract 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 cure superficial eye infections.

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

Clinical trials of these antibiotic treatments in human patients with endometriosis are now underway at Nagoya University Hospital.

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

Secrets of an A-list

This week: Holly Willoughby’s bum

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

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

What to try: A glute bridge with added “marching” reps will define your butt.

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