title: Vitamin D binding protein in endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is a powerful method for identifying post-translationally modified molecules in biological fluids. We examined the presence and expression of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and plasma (PL) of women with endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  PL and PF samples were obtained from 36 women with untreated mild endometriosis (revised classification of the American Fertility Society [rAFS] stage I-II), 52 women with untreated severe endometriosis (rAFS stage III-IV), 17 women with endometriosis treated with the oral contraceptive (OC), and 40 controls (infertility, n = 23; tubal sterilization, n = 12; pelvic pain, n = 5). PF and PL samples were analyzed by quantitative, high-resolution 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of one DBP isoform (DBPE) in the PF of patients with untreated endometriosis was significantly lower than in the control group (P <.05). The levels of PF DBPE in patients with endometriosis using OC were significantly higher than in women with untreated endometriosis (P <.05). No significant difference was observed in PL DBPE expression between women with and without endometriosis, while it was significantly increased in patients with endometriosis using OC (P <.05). DBP expression was not correlated with the stage of endometriosis (rAFS classification) or the phase of the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decreased level of DBPE in the PF but not in PL of women with untreated endometriosis suggests that this molecule may be relevant in the pathogenesis of this disease.
authors.affiliation: St Bartholomew's Hospital, St Bartholomew's School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMW College, London, United Kingdom. simone.ferrero@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gillott
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anserini
authors.forename: Valentino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Remorgida
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.forename: Jurgis G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Grudzinskas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017697:Premenopause; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein