*The information in this podcast is intended for Healthcare Practitioners.

Endometriosis is a common and debilitating condition that has proven difficult to treat. In this episode, Sun-Wei Guo, a geneticist turned Professor of Gynaecology, reveals his eye-opening research into the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Sun Wei explains how the theory of retrograde flow in endometriosis is necessary but not sufficient to explain the progression of the disease. Prof Guo explains that endometriotic lesions are wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair (ReTIAR).
Sun Wei further describes how surprising mediators in the endometriotic microenvironment are responsible for the incomplete repair process that leads to the cellular hallmarks of endometriosis.

Hear about Prof Guo’s preliminary work on herbal constituents and electrical stimulation that are generating encouraging results in endometriosis. Listen in to discover new non-hormonal targets that can be considered to combat this terrible affliction.

Professor Guo received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington and had subsequent stints at University of Michigan and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Since 2010 Sun Wei has been a Professor at Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University and an adjunct professor at Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Prof Guo has been an Associated Editor of several reproduction journals and a board member of several endometriosis societies, including member of the Board of Trustees of the World Endometriosis Society (WES).

Links:

Guo SW. Fibrogenesis resulting from cyclic bleeding: the Holy Grail of the natural history of ectopic endometrium. Hum Reprod. 2018 Mar 1;33(3):353-356. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29420711/

Xiao F, Liu X, Guo SW. Platelets and Regulatory T Cells May Induce a Type 2 Immunity That Is Conducive to the Progression and Fibrogenesis of Endometriosis. Front Immunol. 2020 Dec 14;11:610963. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33381124/

Yan D, Liu X, Guo SW. Neuropeptides Substance P and Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide Accelerate the Development and Fibrogenesis of Endometriosis. Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 25;9(1):2698. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30804432/

Huang S, Xiao F, Guo SW, Zhang T. Tetramethylpyrazine Retards the Progression and Fibrogenesis of Endometriosis. Reprod Sci. 2022 Apr;29(4):1170-1187. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35099777/

Hao M, Liu X, Rong P, Li S, Guo SW. Reduced vagal tone in women with endometriosis and auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapeutic approach. Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 14;11(1):1345. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33446725/

Hao M, Liu X, Guo SW. Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor retards the development of endometriosis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022 Jun 4;20(1):85. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35658970/