Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in peritoneal fluids of women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase may play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.


METHODS
Peritoneal fluids were obtained at laparoscopy from eight fertile women without endometriosis and 12 women with mild endometriosis. Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity was assayed in serum and peritoneal fluid by the release of 3H-acetate from [3H]-platelet-activating factor during a 15-minute incubation.


RESULTS
Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity (mean +/- standard error of the mean) was significantly lower (P < .01) in peritoneal fluids from women with mild endometriosis (29.5 +/- 2.7%) than in controls (39.9 +/- 3.4%). The platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase-cholesterol and -albumin ratios were also significantly lower in peritoneal fluids of women with endometriosis compared with controls (P < .006 and P < .012, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that mild endometriosis is associated with decreased platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in peritoneal fluid.
Hemmings
R
R
Institut de Médecine de la Reproduction de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Miron
P
P
Falcone
T
T
Bourque
J
J
Lepage
N
N
Langlais
J
J
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase; D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D000418:Albumins; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D002784:Cholesterol; D010741:Phospholipases A; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase