Decreased levels of interleukin-18 in peritoneal fluid but not in serum of patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in peritoneal fluid and serum in patients with endometriosis in comparison with the control group.


METHODS
A prospective analytical study.


METHODS
The obstetrics and gynecology department of an academic training hospital.


METHODS
Forty-four patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic diseases.


METHODS
Specimens of peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid were obtained before and during laparoscopic procedures, and the levels of IL-18 were analyzed.


METHODS
The concentrations of IL-18 in peritoneal fluid and serum were correlated with the presence of endometriosis, disease stage, and the phase of the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
Interleukin-18 was detectable in 98% of the peritoneal specimens and 84% of the serum specimens of the patients tested. Peritoneal fluid IL-18 concentrations were statistically significantly lower in patients with endometriosis than in patients without endometriosis; the difference in serum IL-18 levels showed no statistically significant difference between the patients with and without endometriosis. The concentrations of IL-18 in peritoneal fluid and serum were not correlated with the stage of endometriosis or the phase of the menstrual cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the decreased levels of IL-18 in peritoneal fluid in patients with endometriosis as compared with the control group may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Zhang
Xinmei
X
Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Lin
Jun
J
Qian
Yuli
Y
Deng
Lin
L
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D020382:Interleukin-18; D007371:Interferon-gamma