Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE(S):

To determine [1] vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis and compare them with those from oral contraceptive (OC) users and normal cycling women and [2] any correlation between VEGF and IL-6 concentrations.

DESIGN:

Controlled clinical study.

SETTING:

University medical center.

PATIENT(S):

Patients undergoing laparoscopy for infertility or other benign gynecologic conditions.

INTERVENTION(S):

Peritoneal fluid samples were collected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Levels of VEGF and IL-6 in peritoneal fluid were determined.

RESULT(S):

Compared with normal controls or women with less severe endometriosis (implant scores of 5 or less), women with more advanced endometriosis (implant scores of 6 or more) have elevated VEGF and IL-6 levels in peritoneal fluid. Compared with normal controls, markedly suppressed IL-6 but similar VEGF levels were found in peritoneal fluid from OC users. Neither VEGF nor IL-6 varied cyclically in normal women or those with endometriosis. There was no correlation between levels of VEGF and IL-6 in peritoneal fluid. There was no correlation between implant scores and VEGF or IL-6 levels.

CONCLUSION:

The inflammation associated with endometriosis, through increased levels of peritoneal fluid VEGF, may promote angiogenesis for the progressive growth of endometriosis. Effective treatment of endometriosis by combination estrogen-progestin pills may involve the suppression of such inflammatory responses.

• Authors: J L Mahnke, M Y Dawood, J C Huang
• Journal: Fertility and sterility (Fertil Steril) Vol. 73 Issue 1 Pg. 166-70 (Jan 2000) ISSN: 0015-0282 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10632434 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral
• Endothelial Growth Factors
• Interleukin-6
• Lymphokines
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Topics

• Ascitic Fluid (metabolism)
• Contraceptives, Oral
• Endometriosis (metabolism)
• Endothelial Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Female
• Follicular Phase
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (metabolism)
• Luteal Phase
• Lymphokines (metabolism)
• Reference Values
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors