title: Serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and paraoxonase-1 profiles in women with endometriosis, PCOS, or unexplained infertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) during fertility treatment of women with endometriosis (Endo), PCOS or unexplained infertility (Unexpl).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with Endo, PCOS or Unexpl undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF or IUI were consented and their serum, on day-3 (baseline) and at the end of FSH treatment (peak), was collected and investigated for levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and PON-1. Correlations, ANOVA and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peak serum levels of IL-6, MCP-1 and PON-1 were positively correlated to E2 peak levels. TNF-α levels were inversely correlated to estradiol levels and they were lower in patients who ultimately became pregnant when compared to non-pregnant (P < 0.05). Mean TNF-α levels were significantly higher in Unexpl group (P < 0.05). The mean levels of IL-6, and MCP-1 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in women with PCOS compared with Endo and Unexpl. No differences were found between the three clinical groups in patient's age, BMI, Day-3 FSH, PON-1 and pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating cytokine levels were influenced by ovarian stimulation, as demonstrated by increased levels of IL-6, MCP-1 and PON-1, and decreased level of TNF-α at the end of controlled ovarian stimulation. While evidence of relationship between circulating cytokines with mild endometriosis was not found, PCOS was associated with elevated serum IL-6 and MCP-1 but lower TNF-α concentration. Unexplained infertility was associated with elevated TNF-α level. No relationship between serum PON-1 concentration and PCOS, mild endometriosis or unexplained infertility was noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mercer University School of Medicine, Central Georgia Fertility Institute Macon, 4075 Elnora Dr., Macon, GA, 31210, USA, moneims@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abdelmoneim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Younis
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Halleh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahini
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garelnabi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D006062:Gonadotropins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; C468406:PON1 protein, human