The development of cytotoxicity in peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the activation status of peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis.


METHODS
Peritoneal macrophages from patients undergoing laparoscopy were tested for cytotoxic activity against a cultured hepatoma cell line.


METHODS
Patients were tested at initial laparoscopy or at the completion of therapy.


METHODS
Fertile controls (n = 27), infertile controls (n = 20), untreated endometriosis (n = 43), danazol-treated endometriosis (n = 22), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a)-treated endometriosis (n = 13) were tested.


METHODS
Danazol (800 mg/d) or GnRH-a therapy for 6 months.


RESULTS
Cytotoxicity was elevated in stage I and II endometriosis (P less than 0.02) and in infertile controls (P less than 0.05) compared with fertile controls. Cytotoxicity in stage III and IV endometriosis was lower (P less than 0.02) than in stage I and II endometriosis. Indomethacin in vitro increased cytotoxicity (P less than 0.05) in stage III and IV endometriosis but not in the other groups tested. Cytotoxicity in danazol or GnRH-a-treated patients was increased (P less than 0.05 or greater) compared with untreated patients with comparable stage of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Peritoneal macrophage cytotoxicity in women with endometriosis is affected by (1) the extent of endometriosis, (2) prostaglandin metabolism, and (3) treatment with danazol or GnRH-a.
Braun
D P
DP
Department of Medicine, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois 60612.
Gebel
H
H
Rotman
C
C
Rana
N
N
Dmowski
W P
WP
D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D003613:Danazol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology*; D012016:Reference Values; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; C019176:Tryptal; D003613:Danazol; D007213:Indomethacin