IL-1-BETA, TNF-ALPHA, AND IL-2 IN PERITONEAL-FLUID AND MACROPHAGE-CONDITIONED MEDIA OF WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

PROBLEM: The presence of various cytokines in human peritoneal fluid h as been incompletely evaluated. Changes in cytokine levels may be rela ted to the development of endometriosis, infertility, and activation o f peritoneal macrophages. This study assesses levels of IL-1 beta, IL- 2, and TNF-alpha in peritoneal fluid and macrophage conditioned media of women with endometriosis. METHOD: Peritoneal fluid was collected fr om 51 women at the time of diagnostic or operative laparoscopy for ben ign gynecologic disease. Peritoneal macrophages were isolated, culture d for 24 h, and the culture media collected. IL-1 beta, IL-2, and TNF- alpha levels were determined by commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: The me an concentration of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha was significantly higher i n mac macrophage conditioned media of patients with endometriosis (P < 0.02). However, there were no significant changes in peritoneal fluid cytokine levels. Peritoneal macrophage concentrations were also highe r in patients with endometriosis. CONCLUSION: This study supports the concept that endometriosis is associated with activation of peritoneal macrophages, and a higher concentration of these cells. This activati on is reflected by the increased levels of cytokines found in macropha ge conditioned media. The absence of significant changes in peritoneal fluid cytokine levels would seem to indicate that the above derangeme nts are not responsible for the development or progression of endometr iosis.