Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis

Objective(s): To determine [1] vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) an d interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in peritoneal fluid from women with endometri osis and compare them with those from oral contraceptive (OC) users and nor mal cycling women and [2] any correlation between VEGF and IL-6 concentrati ons. Design: Controlled clinical study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Patients undergoing laparoscopy for infertility or other benign gynecologic conditions. Intervention(s): Peritoneal fluid samples were collected. Main Outcome Measure(s): Levels of VEGF and IL-6 in peritoneal fluid were d etermined. Result(s): Compared with normal controls or women with less severe endometr iosis (implant scores of 5 or less), women with more advanced endometriosis (implant scores of 6 or more) have elevated VEGF and IL-6 levels in perito neal fluid. Compared with normal controls, markedly suppressed IL-6 but sim ilar VEGF levels were found in peritoneal fluid from OC users. Neither VEGF nor IL-B varied cyclically in normal women or those with endometriosis. Th ere was no correlation between levels of VEGF and IL-6 in peritoneal fluid. There was no correlation between implant scores and VEGF or IL-6 levels. Conclusion: The inflammation associated with endometriosis, through increas ed levels of peritoneal fluid VEGF, may promote angiogenesis for the progre ssive growth of endometriosis. Effective treatment of endometriosis by comb ination estrogen-progestin pills may involve the suppression of such inflam matory responses. (Fertil Steril((R)) 2000;73:166-70. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)