Elevated interleukin-16 levels in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may be a mechanism for inflammatory reactions associated with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-16 in peritoneal fluid in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.


METHODS
Comparative and laboratory study.


METHODS
University of Tokyo Hospital.


METHODS
Peritoneal fluids (PFs) were collected from women without endometriosis (n = 34) and with endometriosis (stages I/II, n = 30; stages III/IV, n = 58). Peritoneal fluid mononuclear cells (PFMCs) were collected from six women.


METHODS
The PFs were collected; PFMCs were isolated and cultured with or without recombinant human (rh) IL-16.


METHODS
Concentrations of IL-16 in PFs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Concentrations of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-1beta in culture media of PFMCs were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
The IL-16 concentrations in the PF of women with advanced endometriosis (stages III/IV) (330 pg/mL, 231-501; median, interquartile range) were significantly higher (P=.0016) than those without endometriosis (229 pg/mL, 174-311). The PFMCs cultured with rhIL-16 released an increased amount of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, which was a 1.17-, 1.33-, and 1.54-fold increase, respectively, over that in the control culture.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates that IL-16 in PF may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by initiating or sustaining inflammatory responses in the peritoneal cavity.
Koga
Kaori
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
Osuga
Yutaka
Y
Yoshino
Osamu
O
Hirota
Yasushi
Y
Yano
Tetsu
T
Tsutsumi
Osamu
O
Taketani
Yuji
Y
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004716:Endometritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008183:Luteal Phase; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity
D019410:Interleukin-16