Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10216/82135
Author(s): Julio Santos
Maria Joao Gouveia
Nuno Vale
Maria de Lurdes Delgado
Ana Goncalves
Jose M T Teixeira da Silva
Cristiano Oliveira
Pedro Xavier
Paula Gomes
Lucio L Santos
Carlos Lopes
Alberto Barros
Gabriel Rinaldi
Paul J Brindley
Jose M C Correia da Costa
Mario Sousa
Monica C Botelho
Title: Urinary Estrogen Metabolites and Self-Reported Infertility in Women Infected with Schistosoma haematobium
Issue Date: 2014
Abstract: Background: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in 76 countries, that afflicts more than 240 million people. The impact of schistosomiasis on infertility may be underestimated according to recent literature. Extracts of Schistosoma haematobium include estrogen-like metabolites termed catechol-estrogens that down regulate estrogen receptors alpha and beta in estrogen responsive cells. In addition, schistosome derived catechol-estrogens induce genotoxicity that result in estrogen-DNA adducts. These catechol estrogens and the catechol-estrogen-DNA adducts can be isolated from sera of people infected with S. haematobium. The aim of this study was to study infertility in females infected with S. haematobium and its association with the presence of schistosome-derived catechol-estrogens. Methodology/Principal Findings: A cross-sectional study was undertaken of female residents of a region in Bengo province, Angola, endemic for schistosomiasis haematobia. Ninety-three women and girls, aged from two (parents interviewed) to 94 years were interviewed on present and previous urinary, urogenital and gynecological symptoms and complaints. Urine was collected from the participants for egg-based parasitological assessment of schistosome infection, and for liquid chromatography diode array detection electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MSn) to investigate estrogen metabolites in the urine. Novel estrogen-like metabolites, potentially of schistosome origin, were detected in the urine of participants who were positive for eggs of S. haematobium, but not detected in urines negative for S. haematobium eggs. The catechol-estrogens/DNA adducts were significantly associated with schistosomiasis (OR 3.35; 95% CI 2.32-4.84; P <= 0.001). In addition, presence of these metabolites was positively associated with infertility (OR 4.33; 95% CI 1.13-16.70; P <= 0.05). Conclusions/Significance: Estrogen metabolites occur widely in diverse metabolic pathways. In view of the statistically significant association between catechol-estrogens/DNA adducts and self-reported infertility, we propose that an estrogen-DNA adduct mediated pathway in S. haematobium-induced ovarian hormonal deregulation could be involved. In addition, the catechol-estrogens/DNA adducts described here represent potential biomarkers for schistosomiasis haematobia.
Subject: Medicina clínica
Clinical medicine
Scientific areas: Ciências médicas e da saúde::Medicina clínica
Medical and Health sciences::Clinical medicine
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10216/82135
Document Type: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
Rights: openAccess
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Appears in Collections:FCUP - Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional

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