INCREASED LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND INTERLEUKIN-10 IN THE PERITONEAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

OBJECTIVE: The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimu lating factor were measured in the peritoneal fluid of 15 patients wit h endometriosis to characterize the type of immune response that occur s at the site of endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: Cytokine levels in perit oneal fluid obtained during laparoscopy from 15 patients and 12 contro ls undergoing tubal ligation were determined by enzyme-linked immunoso rbent assay, RESULTS: The mean levels of interleukin-6 in patients wit h endometriosis and controls were 797 +/- 407 pg/ml and 133 +/- 38 pg/ ml, respectively (p < 0.02). Similarly, the mean concentration of inte rleukin-10 in peritoneal fluids of patients with endometriosis was sig nificantly higher than that of controls (241 +/- 38 vs 128 +/- 21, p < 0.05). The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were not significant ly different between the two study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 are increased in the peritoneal fluid s of patients with endometriosis, suggesting enhanced macrophage activ ity in these patients. Increased interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 prod uction may partially contribute to the disturbed immune regulation obs erved in patients with endometriosis.