Serum and peritoneal fluid levels of IGF I and II and insulinlike growth binding protein-3 in endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether insulinlike growth factor I (IGF I), IGF II and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP 3) in serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) correlate with the presence and severity of endometriosis.


METHODS
Case-control study including 29 patients with endometriosis and 15 controls. The revised American Fertility Society classification stages of I and II were pooled as early-stage (n = 15), and stages III and IV were taken as late stage (n = 14). Simultaneous sampling of blood and PF was performed during laparoscopy, and IGF I, IGF II and IGFBP 3 levels were determined by immunoradiometric assay.


RESULTS
The serum levels of all three proteins were higher than PF levels except for a reversed IGF I PF: serum ratio in the early stage. There were no significant differences in IGF II and IGFBP 3 levels among the groups. The mean serum IGF I levels of controls and early-stage patients were significantly lower than those in the late stage. Also, mean PF IGF I levels in controls were significantly lower than in the late stage.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF I may be an important mediator in the development and/or maintenance of endometriosis or progression to late-stage disease.
Gurgan
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Bukulmez
O
O
Yarali
H
H
Tanir
M
M
Akyildiz
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000032:analysis*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000032:analysis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II