title: Elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 in serum from women with endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum and peritoneal fluid levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) differ between women with and without endometriosis and to examine the relationship between proliferative activity in the endometriotic lesions and the levels of FGF-2 in serum and peritoneal fluid.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biopsy specimens of peritoneal endometriotic lesions (n = 25) were analyzed immunohistochemically regarding proliferative activity in stroma, glands, and blood vessels. The FGF-2 concentration was measured in peritoneal fluid and serum from 25 women with endometriosis and 14 healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with endometriosis had higher serum concentrations of FGF-2 during both the proliferative and secretory menstrual phases than healthy women. Peritoneal fluid levels of FGF-2 differed significantly between women with high and low proliferative activity in their endometriotic lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with endometriosis have a higher serum level of FGF-2 than healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Perinatology, Russian Academy of the Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bourlev
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: Matts
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olovsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2