Changes in immunologic variables (TNF-a, sCD8 and sCD4) during danazol treatment in patients with endometriosis.
METHODS
The levels of TNF-a, sCD8, and sCD4 were measured in serum samples taken from 20 women. Blood samples for TNF-a, sCD8 and sCD4 levels were taken from 10 endometriotic women before treatment, during the last 15 days of a 6-month administration of danazol and 3 months after treatment. Blood samples were taken only once from 10 women without endometriosis (control group).


RESULTS
TNF-a levels were higher in women with endometriosis before treatment compared to controls (P < .05). Administration of the drug significantly reduced the levels of TNF-a (P < .01) and sCD8 (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that danazol significantly reduces endometriosis-associated autoimmune abnormalities.
Matalliotakis
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Iraklion, Crete, Greece.
Neonaki
M
M
Zolindaki
A
A
Hassan
E
E
Georgoulias
V
V
Koumantakis
E
E
D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D003613:Danazol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D012995:Solubility; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003613:Danazol