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Increased expression of fibroblast activation protein is associated with autophagy dysregulation and oxidative stress in obese women with uterine fibroids

Research Authors
Nashwa Maghraby, Amira M El Noweihi, Nagla T El-Melegy, Nashwa AM Mostafa, Ahmed M Abbas, Heba EM El-Deek, Eman Radwan
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Reproductive Sciences
Research Publisher
Springer Link
Research Vol
29
Research Website
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43032-021-00810-0
Research Year
2022
Research_Pages
44-459
Research Abstract

Uterine fibroids (UF) represent an immense health burden throughout the world. Obesity is considered one of the risk factors for UF development; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. We investigated the effect of obesity on fibroblast activation and its association with inflammation, autophagy dysfunction, and oxidative stress in UF patients. Thirty-five pre-menopausal UF patients were included in this study and classified into non-obese group (BM1 ≤ 30 kg/m2n = 15) and obese group (BMI > 30 kg/m2n = 20). Tissue samples were collected from fibroids and adjacent normal myometrium. Our results showed increased expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) together with markers of autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress in UF patients, which were all more markedly upregulated in obese compared to non-obese patients. In addition, BMI was significantly positive correlated with FAP and autophagy markers. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that obesity-associated autophagy dysregulation together with increased FAP expression may increase the risk of UFs in obese women.