Soluble ICAM-1 levels in the serum of endometriotic patients appear to be independent of medical treatment.
Adhesion molecules regulate the interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix and/or other cells. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and expressed by several cell types, including leukocytes and endothelial cells. A circulating form of the usually membrane-bound molecule was identified and characterized in normal human serum and in sera from patients with endometriosis. In the present study, we established the serum-soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) levels in patients with endometriosis. We also studied the effect of danazol and leuprorelin acetate depot on the levels of sICAM-1. Thirty-eight women, 18-45 years of age, with regular menses and documented pelvic endometriosis were recruited from a University Hospital setting. Twenty-two women with endometriosis were randomly divided into two groups. Danazol (600 mg) were given every day for 6 months, and 3.75 mg of leuprorelin acetate depot every 28 days for 6 months. Serum sICAM-1 concentrations were measured before, during and after treatment, and its quantitative determination was performed by an ELISA technique using a specific immunoassay. We found that (1) sICAM-1 levels were higher in women with endometriosis in comparison to healthy subjects; (2) the 6 month treatment with danazol or leuprorelin acetate depot increased sICAM-1 levels (P<0.001); (3) 3 months after termination of both treatments, sICAM-1 levels were unchanged. Although the mechanism leading to the increase of sICAM-1 needs to be further clarified, any benefits of medical treatment of endometriosis such as danazol or leuprorelin appear to be independent of changes in ICAM-1 serum levels.
Matalliotakis
I M
IM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Crete, PO Box 1393, 714-09, Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Vassiliadis
S
S
Goumenou
A G
AG
Athanassakis
I
I
Koumantakis
G E
GE
Neonaki
M A
MA
Koumantakis
E E
EE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003613:Danazol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016729:Leuprolide; D003613:Danazol