DE-NOVO FORMATION OF ADHESIONS IN ENDOMETRIOSIS - THE ROLE OF IRON AND FREE-RADICAL REACTIONS

Objective: To show that raised iron levels in the peritoneal fluid (PF ) of patients with endometriosis catalyze free radical reactions that- results in the tissue destruction and fibrosis seen in these patients. Design: A case-controlled study of the iron levels (mu g/mL) in the p elvic PF of 12 patients with moderate-to-severe disease, 15 patients w ith minimal-to-mild disease and in 17 women with normal pelvises were compared. As an index of free radical reactions through Lipid peroxida tion, the levels of malondialdehyde levels (ng/mL) were assessed simul taneously in the same specimens. Results: Controlling for the phase of the menstrual cycle, significantly higher levels of iron were seen in patients with endometriosis, the levels being correlated with the sev erity of the disease. However no such corresponding relationship was s een in the malondialdehyde levels in the PF. Conclusions: These result s suggest that raised iron levels in the PF do not play a role in cata lyzing free radical reactions as judged by the degree of Lipid peroxid ation.