Bioconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the adipose tissue of women with pelvic endometriosis and idiopathic infertility: A case-control study

Purpose

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), present in air and food, generated during energy production and waste incineration, are known for health toxicity. PAHs may activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which could in turn modify estrogen-dependent inflammatory pathways in endometriosis. The possible role of PAHs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the potential link between exposure to PAHs and the occurrence of peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis.

Methods

A prospective case-control tertiary-center study included 46 women aged 22–45 undergoing laparoscopy due to pelvic endometriosis (n ​= ​32; arm 1) and idiopathic infertility (n ​= ​14; arm 2). A sample of the greater omentum was collected intraoperatively for detection of 16 standard PAHs by gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry method. PAHs concentrations were compared in both study arms. The associations between PAHs concentrations and selected variables were investigated.

Results

There were no significant differences between both arms in terms of reference PAHs concentrations, nor correlations between PAHs concentrations and the stage of endometriosis. However, notable differences were observed in specific PAHs concentrations related to certain conditions. The concentrations of acenaphthene (p ​= ​0.016) and fluorene (p ​= ​0.013) were significantly lower in women with peritoneal adhesions, while the concentrations of benz[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene [ng/g] were higher in cigarette smokers.

Conclusions

The study showed no differences in exposure to PAHs between women with and without pelvic endometriosis. Determining the toxicity of PAHs in endometriosis requires further research.