Oxidant–antioxidant profile of the endometrium: pathogenesis of hyperplastic processes
Boldyreva A.A, Shcherbakova L.N., Bugerenko A.E., Ogay D.S., Sichinava L.G., Panina O.B.
Endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer represent a major clinical burden and continue to raise substantial pathophysiological questions. Disturbances in redox homeostasis are increasingly recognized as an important contributor to the molecular landscape underlying the initiation and progression of these disorders. This review synthesizes clinical and experimental data exploring the redox profile of the endometrium in non-atypical and atypical hyperplasia, as well as in endometrial cancer, with the goal of integrating biochemical findings into a coherent framework for interpreting clinical phenotypes.
Evidence suggests that redox imbalance emerges early, already in non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and is characterized by enhanced lipid peroxidation, depletion of thiol groups, and reduced activities of key antioxidant enzymes. Atypical hyperplasia demonstrates a more heterogeneous redox phenotype, reflecting compensatory or adaptive cellular responses. In endometrial cancer, redox dysregulation becomes functionally bifurcated: moderate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote proliferative and survival signaling, whereas excessive ROS accumulation initiates programmed cell death pathways. Clinical studies increasingly report correlations between redox biomarkers and tumor burden, metastatic potential, patient survival, and treatment responsiveness, underscoring their prognostic relevance.
Conclusion: Current evidence confirms the potential of redox biomarkers in diagnostic assessment of hyperplastic and malignant endometrial disorders, since their changes correlate with the characteristics of the course of the disease, the extent of the tumor, and the response to treatment. Incorporating indicators of oxidant–antioxidant balance into routine evaluation may enhance risk stratification and support more individualized therapeutic decision-making.
Authors’ contributions: Boldyreva A.A. – developing the concept of the study, search and analysis of literature data, writing the text; Shcherbakova L.N. – developing the concept of the study, reviewing and editing the manuscript, final approval of the version for publication; Bugerenko A.E. Ogay D.S. – search and analysis of literature data; Sichinava L.G., Panina O.B. – scientific consulting, editing and final approval of the version for publication.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted within the framework of the state assignment of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.
For citation: Boldyreva A.A, Shcherbakova L.N., Bugerenko A.E., Ogay D.S., Sichinava L.G., Panina O.B.
Oxidant-antioxidant profile of the endometrium: pathogenesis of hyperplastic processes.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiy/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (2): 70-77 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.26
Keywords
References
- Management of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical endometrial hyperplasia: ACOG Clinical Consensus No. 5. Obstet. Gynecol. 2023; 142(3): 735-44. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000005297
- Boureka E., Tsakiridis I., Kapetanios G., Michos G., Giouleka S., Liberis A. et al. Management of endometrial hyperplasia: a comparative review of guidelines. Cancers (Basel). 2025; 17(19): 3143. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers17193143
- Doherty M.T., Sanni O.B., Coleman H.G., Cardwell C.R., McCluggage W.G., Quinn D. et al. Concurrent and future risk of endometrial cancer in women with endometrial hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2020; 15(4): e0232231. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232231
- Chou A.J., Bing R.S., Ding D.C. Endometrial atypical hyperplasia and risk of endometrial cancer. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024; 14(22): 2471. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14222471
- Yıldırım E., Türkler C., Görkem Ü., Şimşek Ö.Y., Yılmaz E., Aladağ H. The relationship between oxidative stress markers and endometrial hyperplasia: a case-control study. Turk. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2021; 18(4): 298-303. https://dx.doi.org/10.4274/tjod.galenos.2021.16132
- Gentry-Maharaj A., Karpinskyj C. Current and future approaches to screening for endometrial cancer. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Obstet. Gynaecol. 2020; 65: 79-97. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.12.006
- Ring K.L., Mills A.M., Modesitt S.C. Endometrial hyperplasia. Obstet. Gynecol. 2022; 140(6): 1061-75. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004989
- Galani A., Stavros S., Moustakli E., Potiris A., Zikopoulos A., Anagnostaki I. et al. Endometrial hyperplasia: current insights into epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical management. Cancers (Basel). 2025; 18(1): 148. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010148
- Niu S., Molberg K., Castrillon D.H., Lucas E., Chen H. Biomarkers in the diagnosis of endometrial precancers. Molecular characteristics, candidate immunohistochemical markers, and promising results of three-marker panel: current status and future directions. Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(6): 1159. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers16061159
- Bukato K., Kostrzewa T., Gammazza A.M., Gorska-Ponikowska M., Sawicki S. Endogenous estrogen metabolites as oxidative stress mediators and endometrial cancer biomarkers. Cell Commun. Signal. 2024; 22(1): 205. https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12964-024-01583-0
- Lee J., Yeo S.G., Lee J.M., Kim S.S., Jeong Y.J., Oh T.I. et al. The role of reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis and treatment of endometrial cancer. Front. Med. (Lausanne). 2025; 12: 1662794. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1662794
- Sies H. Oxidative eustress: the physiological role of oxidants. Sci. China Life Sci. 2023; 66(8): 1947-8. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11427-023-2336-1
- Sies H., Jones D.P. Reactive oxygen species as pleiotropic physiological signalling agents. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2020; 21(7): 363-83. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41580-020-0230-3
- Halliwell B. Understanding mechanisms of antioxidant action in health and disease. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 2024; 25(1): 13-33. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41580-023-00645-4
- Sarmiento-Salinas F.L., Perez-Gonzalez A., Acosta-Casique A., Ix-Ballote A., Diaz A., Treviño S. et al. Reactive oxygen species: role in carcinogenesis, cancer cell signaling and tumor progression. Life Sci. 2021; 284: 119942. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119942
- Jomova K., Alomar S.Y., Alwasel S.H., Nepovimova E., Kuca K., Valko M. Several lines of antioxidant defense against oxidative stress. Arch. Toxicol. 2024; 98(5): 1323-67. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00204-024-03696-4
- Schieber M., Chandel N.S. ROS function in redox signaling and oxidative stress. Curr. Biol. 2014; 24(10): R453-62. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.034
- Averill-Bates D. Reactive oxygen species and cell signaling. Review. Biochim. Biophys. Acta Mol. Cell Res. 2024; 1871(2): 119573. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119573
- Zdrojkowski Ł., Jasiński T., Ferreira-Dias G., Pawliński B., Domino M. The role of NF-κB in endometrial diseases in humans and animals: a review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023; 24(3): 2901. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032901
- Huang L., Shi L., Li M., Yin X., Ji X. Oxidative stress in endometriosis: sources, mechanisms and therapeutic potential of antioxidants. Int. J. Mol. Med. 2025; 55(5): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2025.5513
- Drizi A., Djokovic D., Lagana A.S., Van Herendael B. Impaired inflammatory state of the endometrium: a multifaceted approach. Prz. Menopauzalny. 2020; 19(2): 90-100. https://dx.doi.org/10.5114/pm.2020.97863
- AlAshqar A., Reschke L., Kirschen G.W., Borahay M.A. Role of inflammation in benign gynecologic disorders: from pathogenesis to novel therapies†. Biol. Reprod. 2021; 105(1): 7-31. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioab054
- Ruan L.Y., Lai Z.Z., Shi J.W., Yang H.L., Ye J.F., Xie F. et al. Excess heme promotes the migration and infiltration of macrophages in endometrial hyperplasia complicated with abnormal uterine bleeding. Biomolecules. 2022; 12(6): 849. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biom12060849
- Moustakli E., Stavros S., Katopodis P., Skentou C., Potiris A., Panagopoulos P. et al. Oxidative stress and the NLRP3 inflammasome: focus on female fertility and reproductive health. Cells. 2025; 14(1): 36. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cells14010036
- Krishna Kumar K., Upadhyaya K., Cn R.T. Bcl-2 may contribute to evolution of endometrial hyperplasia, but it isn't a factor in subsequent carcinogenesis. Arch. Razi Inst. 2024; 79(4): 827-32. https://dx.doi.org/10.32592/ARI.2024.79.4.827
- Russo M., Newell J.M., Budurlean L., Houser K.R., Sheldon K., Kesterson J. et al. Mutational profile of endometrial hyperplasia and risk of progression to endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Cancer. 2020; 126(12): 2775-83. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cncr.32822
- Aksakal S.E., Diktaş E.G., Pay R.E., Tapisiz Ö.L., Timur B., Korkmaz V. et al. The relationship between Thiol / disulfide homeostasis and endometrial hyperplasia in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Sağlık Akad. Kastamonu. 2022; 7(2): 340-51. https://dx.doi.org/10.25279/sak.1101029
- Pejić S., Todorović A., Stojiljković V., Cvetković D., Lučić N., Radojičić R.M. et al. Superoxide dismutase and lipid hydroperoxides in blood and endometrial tissue of patients with benign, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium. An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 2008; 80(3): 515-22. https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0001-37652008000300011
- Шоонаева Н., Узакова А., Масыбаева А., Маматазизова А. Окислительный стресс при патологии эндометрия у женщин репродуктивного возраста. Репродуктивное здоровье. Восточная Европа. 2022; 12(5): 540-6. [Shoonaeva N., Uzakova A., Masybaeva A., Mamatazizova A. Oxidative stress in endometrial pathology in women of reproductive age. Reproductive health. Eastern Europe. 2022; 12(5): 540-6 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.34883/PI.2022.12.5.004
- Атыканов А.О., Асымбекова Г.У., Масыбаева А.А. Перекисное окисление липидов и система антиоксидантной защиты при гиперпластических процессах эндометрия у женщин. Ульяновский медико-биологический журнал. 2019; 4: 44-9. [Atykanov A.O., Asymbekova G.U., Masybaeva A.A. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection system in women with endometrial hyperplastic processes. Ulyanovsk Medico-biological Journal. 2019; 4: 44-9 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.34014/2227-1848-2019-4-44-49
- Gómez-Zubeldia M.A., Bazo A.P., Gabarre J.J., Nogales A.G., Palomino J.C. Oxidative stress in endometrial hyperplasia. Menopause. 2008; 15(2): 363-8. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/gme.0B013e318093E646
- Błachnio-Zabielska A.U., Sadowska P., Zdrodowski M., Laudański P., Szamatowicz J., Kuźmicki M. The interplay between oxidative stress and sphingolipid metabolism in endometrial cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024; 25(19): 10243. https:/dx./doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910243
- Проскурнина Е.В., Фёдорова М.В., Вознесенский В.И., Соснова Е.А. Активность НАД(Ф)Н-оксидоредуктаз и оксидативный гомеостаз. Технологии живых систем. 2023; 20(4): 31-44. [Proskurnina E.V., Fedorova M.V., Voznesensky V.I., Sosnova E.A. NAD(P)H oxidoreductase activity and oxidative homeostasis. Living Systems Technologies. 2023; 20(4): 31-44 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18127/j20700997-202304-03
- Sezgin B., Pirinççi F., Camuzcuoğlu A., Erel Ö., Neşelioğlu S., Camuzcuoğlu H. Assessment of thiol disulfide balance in early-stage endometrial cancer. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Res. 2020; 46(7): 1140-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jog.14301
- Tossetta G., Marzioni D. Targeting the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in cervical and endometrial cancers. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2023; 941: 175503. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175503
- Kuusiniemi E., Karihtala P., Puistola U., Ahtikoski A., Urpilainen E. Oxidative stress-regulating enzymes and endometrial cancer survival in relation to metformin intake in diabetic patients. Anticancer Res. 2023; 43(12): 5545-54. https://dx.doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.16756
- Chen Y., Li Y., Huang L., Du Y., Gan F., Li Y. et al. Antioxidative stress: inhibiting reactive oxygen species production as a cause of radioresistance and chemoresistance. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2021; 2021: 6620306. https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6620306
- Hu M., Sun D., Yu J., Fu Y., Qin Z., Huang B. et al. Brusatol sensitizes endometrial hyperplasia and cancer to progestin by suppressing NRF2-TET1-AKR1C1-mediated progestin metabolism. Lab. Invest. 2022; 102(12): 1335-45. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41374-022-00816-5
- Hayes J.D., Dinkova-Kostova A.T., Tew K.D. Oxidative stress in cancer. Cancer Cell. 2020; 38(2): 167-97. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2020.06.001
- Žalytė E. Ferroptosis, metabolic rewiring, and endometrial cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023; 25(1): 75. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010075
- Zhou Q., Meng Y., Li D., Yao L., Le J., Liu Y. et al. Ferroptosis in cancer: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct. Target. Ther. 2024; 9(1): 55. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01769-5
- Адамян Л.В., Пивазян Л.Г., Курбатова К.С., Маилова К.С., Степанян А.А. Оксидативный стресс, ферроптоз, соматические мутации, антиоксидантная терапия и эндометриоз: новый взгляд на проблему. Проблемы репродукции. 2024; 30(6): 32-44. [Adamyan L.V., Pivazyan L.G., Kurbatova K.S., Mailova K.S., Stepanyan A.A. Oxidative stress, ferroptosis, somatic mutations, antioxidant therapy, and endometriosis: a new perspective on the issue. Russian Journal of Human Reproduction. 2024; 30(6): 32-44 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.17116/repro20243006132
- Yu Q., Ren L., Ren F., Li F. Integrating mitophagy and ferroptosis in endometrial carcinogenesis (Review). Oncol. Lett. 2025; 31(1): 40. https://dx.doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15393
- Murakami H., Hayashi M., Terada S., Ohmichi M. Medroxyprogesterone acetate-resistant endometrial cancer cells are susceptible to ferroptosis inducers. Life Sci. 2023; 325: 121753. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121753
- Qiang B., Kang Y.F., Yang J.L., Su H.C., Wang Z., Zhang C.M. et al. Prognostic value of VEGF in endometrial cancer. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024; 103: e40933. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000040933
- Aggarwal V., Tuli H.S., Varol A., Thakral F., Yerer M.B., Sak K. et al. Role of reactive oxygen species in cancer progression: molecular mechanisms and recent advancements. Biomolecules. 2019; 9(11): 735. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biom9110735
- Madeddu C., Sanna E., Gramignano G., Tanca L., Cherchi M.C., Mola B. et al. Correlation of leptin, proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress with tumor size and disease stage of endometrioid (Type I) endometrial cancer and review of the underlying mechanisms. Cancers (Basel). 2022; 14(2): 268. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers14020268
- Yan J., Ye G., Shao Y. High expression of the ferroptosis‐associated MGST1 gene in relation to poor outcome and maladjusted immune cell infiltration in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 2022; 36(4): e24317. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcla.24317
Received 28.01.2026
Accepted 11.02.2026
About the Authors
Anastasia A. Boldyreva, obstetrician-gynecologist, Junior Researcher at the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russia, 4 Ac. Oparin str., Moscow, 117997, Russia; PhD student, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1 Lomonosovsky Ave., Moscow, 119991, Russia, boldyreva.anastasi@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4679-3229Liya N. Shcherbakova, Dr. Med. Sci., Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1 Lomonosovsky Ave., Moscow, 119991, Russia, liya.fbm@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2681-4777
Andrey E. Bugerenko, Dr. Med. Sci., Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1 Lomonosovsky Ave., Moscow, 119991, Russia, jeddit@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5691-7588
Dmitry S. Ogay, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Breast Tumors and Gynecologic Oncology, University Clinic, Medical Research and Education Institute,
Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1 Lomonosovsky Ave., Moscow, 119991, Russia, dogay2008@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1723-5336
Lali G. Sichinava, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, G.M. Savelyeva Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Pediatrics, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 1-6 Ostrovityanov str., Moscow, 117513, Russia, lalisichinava@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0820-4772
Olga B. Panina, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Medical Research and Education Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1 Lomonosovsky Ave., Moscow, 119991, Russia, olgapanina@yandex.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1397-6208



