INTERFERON-GAMMA (IFN-GAMMA) AND INTERLEUKIN-6 (IL-6) IN PERITONEAL-FLUID AND MACROPHAGE-CONDITIONED MEDIA OF WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

PROBLEM: The presence of the various cytokines in human peritoneal flu id has been incompletely evaluated. Changes in cytokine levels may be related to activation of peritoneal macrophages, development of endome triosis, and infertility. This study assesses peritoneal fluid levels of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and peritone al macrophage production of IL-6, in women with and without endometrio sis. METHOD: Peritoneal fluid was obtained from 62 women at the time o f diagnostic or operative laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic disease. Peritoneal macrophages were isolated, cultured for 24 h, and the culture media collected. IFN-gamma and IL-6 levels in peritoneal f luid samples and macrophage conditioned media were determined by comme rcial ELISA. RESULTS: IL-6 was significantly higher in the macrophage conditioned media of women with endometriosis as compared with control s. IL-6 levels were fourfold higher in early stage endometriosis (P < 0.05) and eightfold higher in advanced endometriosis. There were no si gnificant differences between groups in the peritoneal fluid levels of IL-6 or IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal macrophage IL-6 secretion is increased in women with endometriosis, and appears to correlate wit h disease stage. IFN-gamma does not appear to be responsible for the a ctivation of macrophages in women with endometriosis.