title: Plasma C3a-des-Arg levels in women with and without endometriosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Leuven University Fertility Centre, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Amelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fassbender
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: D'Hooghe
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihalyi
authors.forename: Cleophas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kyama
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simsa
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lessey
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000706:Anaphylatoxins; D015415:Biomarkers; C044541:complement C3a, des-Arg-(77)-; D015926:Complement C3a