Self assembly peptide hydrogels: functional characterisation for peritoneal delivery

子宫内膜异位症是一种使人衰弱的疾病，全世界约有1.9亿妇女受到影响(1)。在子宫内膜异位症中，类似子宫内膜的细胞在身体其他部位生长，通常在生殖器官、膀胱和肠道周围。这些子宫内膜样细胞形成病变，随着每个月经周期变厚、分解和出血，导致炎症和瘢痕组织的形成。慢性盆腔疼痛、不孕症和肠梗阻是最常见的症状，仅在英国，对健康相关生活质量的影响就高达每年82亿英镑(2)。主要症状可以通过腹腔镜（锁眼手术）来缓解，在腹腔镜下，子宫内膜异位症的沉积物被定位和破坏。然而，恢复通常是短暂的，超过60%的女性由于残留子宫内膜异位症细胞的再生和/或手术创伤形成的新粘连而需要重复手术(3)。即使在手术后，建议持续使用口服避孕药和黄体酮治疗子宫内膜异位症相关的疼痛。它们通常会产生副作用，包括情绪变化、痤疮和头痛，而且不适合想要怀孕的女性。良好的医疗管理可能需要将药物输送到子宫内膜异位症的目标部位的替代途径，例如使用复杂的盆腔水凝胶系统。

Endometriosis is a debilitating condition that affects an estimated 190 million women worldwide (1). In endometriosis, cells similar to the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, typically around the reproductive organs, bladder and the bowel. These endometrial-like cells form lesions that thicken, break down and bleed with each menstrual cycle leading to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue. Chronic pelvic pain, infertility and bowel obstruction are the most common symptoms with a significant impact on health-related quality of life estimated at £8.2 billion/ annum in the UK alone (2). Major symptoms are eased by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) where deposits of endometriosis are located and destroyed. However, recovery is often short-lived with over 60 percent of women requiring repeat operations due to the regrowth of residual endometriosis cells and/or the formation of new adhesions from surgical trauma (3). Even after surgery, continuous use of oral contraceptives and progestins are recommended for endometriosis-related pain. Often they cause side effects, including mood changes, acne and headaches, and are unsuitable in women who desire pregnancy. Good medical management may require alternative routes of drug delivery to target sites of endometriosis, such as use of a sophisticated pelvic hydrogel system.