XRF anlayses to unravel the role of iron and other metals in endometriosis

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease affecting about 10% of women of reproductive age, which is still poorly understood. A role of iron has been proposed. In endometriosis, iron accumulation can occur within endometrial lesions and peritoneal macrophages. This project aimed at investigating by XRF microscopy and XANES the iron migration and its chemical state in the invading endometrium, as well as to monitor the possible appearance of environmental chemical elements. The analyses will expand actual knowledge and could suggest therapeutic interventions.