INTERLEUKIN-8 CONCENTRATIONS ARE ELEVATED IN PERITONEAL-FLUID OF WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective: To investigate the presence of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a macr ophage-derived angiogenic factor, in peritoneal fluid (PF) of women wi th and without endometriosis. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Uni versity hospital. Patients: Eighteen women with laparoscopic findings of mild to severe endometriosis, and nine women with no visual evidenc e of pelvic pathology. Main Outcome Measures: Peritoneal fluid IL-8 le vels were determined using an ELISA. Interleukin-8 concentrations were compared among women with and without endometriosis. Correlation betw een PF IL-8 concentration and endometriosis stage was investigated. Re sults: Interleukin-8 was detectable in the PF of a majority of women ( 67%). Interleukin-8 concentrations were higher in the PF of women with endometriosis than in matched normal controls. A significant correlat ion between PF IL-8 concentration and endometriosis stage was noted. C onclusions: We hypothesize that IL-8 is an important angiogenic factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of endometriosis by promoting th e neovascularization of ectopic endometrial implants.