Levels of complement components iC3b, C3c, C4, and SC5b-9 in peritoneal fluid and serum of infertile women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether complement components iC3b, C3c, C4, and SC5b-9 may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective, experimental trial.


METHODS
Medical university.


METHODS
112 women infertile women undergoing laparoscopy.


METHODS
Venipuncture and laparoscopic peritoneal fluid collection.


METHODS
Peritoneal fluid and serum iC3b, C3c, C4, and SC5b-9 levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.


RESULTS
Higher levels of C3c, C4, and SC5b-9 complement components were found in the serum compared with the peritoneal fluid, but the levels of iC3b were higher in the peritoneal fluid. We observed higher concentrations of C3c, C4, and SC5b-9 in the peritoneal fluid and serum of women with endometriosis compared with healthy women. However, the levels of iC3b in both peritoneal fluid and serum were statistically significantly lower than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The impairment of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of activation of complement system may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and endometriosis-associated infertility.
Kabut
Jacek
J
Department of Immunology and Serology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Kondera-Anasz
Zdzisława
Z
Sikora
Justyna
J
Mielczarek-Palacz
Aleksandra
A
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000502:physiology; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015932:Complement C3c / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003181:Complement C4; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; C047610:SC5b-9 protein complex; D003179:Complement C3b; D015932:Complement C3c; D003165:Complement System Proteins