Plasma C3a-des-Arg levels in women with and without endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
The lack of a reliable method for early non-invasive detection of endometriosis often results in delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the plasma concentration of complement factor C3a (anaphylatoxin) can be used as a non-invasive test in the diagnosis of endometriosis.


METHODS
The C3a concentration was analyzed using ELISA in 160 patients with (n = 109) or without (n = 51) endometriosis during menstruation (n = 49), follicular phase (n = 55), and luteal (n = 56) phase.


RESULTS
Plasma C3a concentration was comparable between patients with [102 (27-2213) ng/mL] and without [105 (32-2340) ng/mL] (P = 0.84) endometriosis, also when assessed separately during menstruation, follicular phase, and luteal phase.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no difference in C3a levels between women with and without endometriosis and did not confirm our hypothesis that plasma C3a levels can be used as diagnostic test for endometriosis.
Fassbender
Amelie
A
Leuven University Fertility Centre, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
D'Hooghe
Thomas
T
Mihalyi
Attila
A
Kyama
Cleophas
C
Simsa
Peter
P
Lessey
Bruce A
BA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000706:Anaphylatoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D000706:Anaphylatoxins; D015415:Biomarkers; C044541:complement C3a, des-Arg-(77)-; D015926:Complement C3a