Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment reduced serum interleukin-6 concentrations in patients with ovarian endometriomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether serum interleukin (IL)-6 can be measured in patients with ovarian endometriomas and whether these measurements are useful in managing this disease.


METHODS
A controlled clinical study and an in vitro study.


METHODS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University, Japan.Twenty-two patients with ovarian endometriomas.


METHODS
Laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometriomas was performed. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was administered for 3 months in nine patients before laparoscopic surgery. Endometriotic stromal cells obtained from patients with endometriomas with or without GnRH agonist treatment were cultured.


METHODS
IL-6 concentrations in serum or supernatant of the cell culture were measured using ELISA.


RESULTS
The serum concentration of IL-6 in patients with endometriomas was higher at the time of diagnosis than in those without endometriomas. Laparoscopic surgery significantly reduced serum levels of IL-6. Serum IL-6 concentrations also decreased after treatment with GnRH agonist. IL-6 production was attenuated in the endometriotic stromal cells obtained from patients with GnRH agonist treatment compared with patients without such treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
GnRH agonist treatment may decrease IL-6 production in endometriotic cells. Measurement of serum IL-6 concentrations may be of value in managing patients with endometriomas.
Iwabe
Tomio
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Nishimachi, Yonago, Japan. tomio@grape.med.tottorri-u.ac.jp
Harada
Tasuku
T
Sakamoto
Yasuko
Y
Iba
Yumiko
Y
Horie
Sayako
S
Mitsunari
Masahiro
M
Terakawa
Naoki
N
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone