Oxidative stress and fibrosis
There is a linkage between the enhancement of expression of genes
encoding profibrotic such as TGF-1β and iron and the iron-mediated
generation of ROS(37, 38). TGF-β, as an inflammatory cytokine, can
induce inflammatory changes and fibrotic in different organs(39).
Changes in iron metabolism have some roles in developing fibrosis and
chronic inflammation(40). Liver in the humans and animal models are
great examples of the linkages between tissue fibrosis and upregulation
of TGF-β and iron(41). The kidney and the heart are other possible
organs that iron may play a role in tissue fibrosis and TGF-β
upregulation(42, 43). Additionally, the vital effect of TGF-β in the
growth of endometriosis has been found in both in vivo and in vitro
studies(44).