FIBRINOLYTIC FACTORS IN ENDOMETRIOTIC TISSUE, ENDOMETRIUM, PERITONEAL-FLUID, AND PLASMA FROM WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS AND IN ENDOMETRIUM AND PERITONEAL-FLUID FROM HEALTHY WOMEN

Objective: To determine whether there is a difference in fibrinolytic compounds in endometriotic tissue, endometrium, peritoneal fluid (PF), and plasma from women with endometriosis and in endometrium and PF fr om healthy women. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Two university c linics. Patient(s): Regularly menstruating women with and without endo metriosis. Intervention(s): Tissue samples, PF, and blood were collect ed at surgery performed for clinical reasons. Main Outcome Measure(s): The antigen concentrations of plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAIs) in tissue homogenates, PF, and plasma were assayed by ELISA. Result(s): The concentrations of urokinase plasmino gen activator (u-PA) and PAI-1 were higher in endometrium from women w ith endometriosis than in endometrium from controls and even higher in endometriotic tissue than in endometrium from both groups. In PF, the concentration of PAI-2 was higher in women with endometriosis than in controls. Conclusion(s): The high concentrations of u-PA and PAI-1 in endometrium from women with endometriosis might facilitate implantati on of endometrial cells and the high concentration in endometriotic ti ssue might contribute to their invasive growth. The inflammatory react ion may contribute to the high concentration of PAI-2. (Fertil Steril( R) 1998;70: 821-6. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medic ine.).