Background

Associations between stress, hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) dysregulation, and the severity of endometriosis have been described. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a neuropeptide released in response to stress, and one of the main signaling factors within the HPA axis. CRH and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors (CRHR1 and CRHR2) have been associated with endometriosis and are well-documented in stress-related disorders, reproductive function, and inflammation.

Technology Overview

Robust evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that abnormal functioning of the HPA axis —release of CRH and the subsequent activation of inflammatory responses— disrupts the feedback of both neuroendocrine and immune systems, contributing to the progression of endometriosis. CRH acts mainly by binding to CRH receptors CRHR1 and CRHR2, with 10 times greater