Cytokines in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine which of the various cytokines interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) are important in endometriosis.


METHODS
Peritoneal fluid (PF) samples were taken from 55 women at the time of either laparotomy or laparoscopy, and were examined for the levels of IL-5, IL-6 and IL-1 using each cytokine specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thirty-two patients had pelvic endometriosis, eight post-pelvic inflammatory disease, four advanced cancer, three adenomyosis, three benign ovarian tumor, and other diseases. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann Whitney test, chi-square test or Fisher's test.


RESULTS
Both IL-5 and IL-6 levels in PF specimens with endometriosis tended to be higher than normal, while the same specimens were mostly interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) negative. Of great interest was the negative correlation between log (IL-5) and IL-6 (Fisher's test, P < 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the concept that IL-5 and IL-6 but not IL-1 are associated with endometriosis.
Koyama
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Matsuura
K
K
Okamura
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000150:complications
D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015850:Interleukin-6