Interleukin-8 concentrations are elevated in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a macrophage-derived angiogenic factor, in peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Eighteen women with laparoscopic findings of mild to severe endometriosis, and nine women with no visual evidence of pelvic pathology.


METHODS
Peritoneal fluid IL-8 levels were determined using an ELISA. Interleukin-8 concentrations were compared among women with and without endometriosis. Correlation between PF IL-8 concentration and endometriosis stage was investigated.


RESULTS
Interleukin-8 was detectable in the PF of a majority of women (67%). Interleukin-8 concentrations were higher in the PF of women with endometriosis than in matched normal controls. A significant correlation between PF IL-8 concentration and endometriosis stage was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
We hypothesize that IL-8 is an important angiogenic factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis by promoting the neovascularization of ectopic endometrial implants.
Ryan
I P
IP
University of California, San Francisco.
Tseng
J F
JF
Schriock
E D
ED
Khorram
O
O
Landers
D V
DV
Taylor
R N
RN
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012016:Reference Values
D016209:Interleukin-8