title: Serum soluble E-cadherin level in patients with endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the serum sE-cadherin level in patients with endometriosis and the alterations of that level in healthy control during the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with endometriosis and 30 healthy women were tested for serum sE-cadherin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum sE-cadherin levels in healthy control did not vary throughout the menstrual cycle, which were lower than those in patients with endometriosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-cadherin might be involved in endometrial shedding during menstruation in endometriosis patients. The serum sE-cadherin assay might be helpful as a serum marker for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing 100730.
authors.forename: Chenwei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Jinghe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins