Serum levels of VEGF and TNF-alpha and their association with C-reactive protein in patients with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and C-reactive protein (CRP) throughout the menstrual cycle in women with and without endometriosis and to quantify the association between these serum markers.


METHODS
Twenty five endometriosis patients (ASRM stage III-IV) and 13 controls were followed through one menstrual cycle. VEGF, TNF-alpha and CRP concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in each of the four cycle phases (early and late proliferative and early and late secretory). Non-parametric methods and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Increased serum levels of VEGF in secretory phases and of TNF-alpha in all cycle phases were observed. A positive correlation between CRP and VEGF was found in endometriosis patients but not in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that excessive systemic angiogenic activity is a feature of patients with endometriosis.
Xavier
Pedro
P
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, São João Hospital, University of Porto Medical School, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal. cpxavier@sapo.pt
Belo
Luís
L
Beires
Jorge
J
Rebelo
Irene
I
Martinez-de-Oliveira
José
J
Lunet
Nuno
N
Barros
Henrique
H
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein