Transforming growth factor-beta activity is increased in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of transforming growth factor-beta in peritoneal fluid of women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Fifty-two peritoneal fluid samples, obtained during laparoscopies performed for tubal ligation (n = 10), infertility (n = 38), or pain (n = 4), were examined for the presence of transforming growth factor-beta using the Mv1Lu cell growth inhibition assay. At laparoscopy, 26 women had endometriosis. The other 26 women had no endometriosis; 16 of them had infertility, and ten who had no pelvic pathology at tubal sterilization served as fertile controls.


RESULTS
The concentration of transforming growth factor-beta was increased in the peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis (11.4 +/- 3.3 ng/mL) compared to both the fertile control group without endometriosis (1.1 +/- 0.29 ng/mL) and the infertile control group without endometriosis (3.6 +/- 1.4 ng/mL). Twenty-five of the 52 women (48%) demonstrated levels of transforming growth factor-beta higher than 2 ng/mL. Patients with endometriosis were significantly more likely to have elevated concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta than were women without endometriosis (16 of 26, 61.5%, versus nine of 26, 34.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate the presence of transforming growth factor-beta in peritoneal fluid. Elevated levels in women with endometriosis could be important in the pathophysiology of this disease.
Oosterlynck
D J
DJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Meuleman
C
C
Waer
M
M
Koninckx
P R
PR
D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta