Iron storage is significantly increased in peritoneal macrophages of endometriosis patients and correlates with iron overload in peritoneal fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To further investigate peritoneal iron disruption in endometriosis by studying iron storage in peritoneal macrophages of patients with endometriosis compared with controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Academic gynecology research unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
Fifty patients undergoing laparoscopy.


METHODS
Collection of peritoneal fluid samples (N = 50) from patients with (n = 27) and without (n = 23) endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy.


METHODS
Quantification of peritoneal macrophage ferritin by immunocytochemical staining and immunodensitometry and measurement of peritoneal iron, transferrin, ferritin, and prohepcidin concentrations.


RESULTS
The optical density of peritoneal macrophage ferritin staining was statistically significantly higher in endometriosis patients than in controls. Higher iron concentrations, transferrin saturations, and ferritin concentrations were also detected in case of endometriosis. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the optical density of macrophage ferritin staining and peritoneal iron concentrations in endometriosis and control patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Iron storage is statistically significantly increased in peritoneal macrophages of patients with endometriosis and correlates with iron overload in peritoneal fluid. The potential implications of iron accumulation in peritoneal macrophages in case of endometriosis are discussed.
Lousse
Jean-Christophe
JC
Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Defrère
Sylvie
S
Van Langendonckt
Anne
A
Gras
Jérémie
J
González-Ramos
Reinaldo
R
Colette
Sébastien
S
Donnez
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis; D064451:Hepcidins; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000378:metabolism*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D064451:Hepcidins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron