Angiogenic activity of fluorescent peritoneal fluid in patients with endometriosis

Objective: We evaluated the angiogenic activity of fluorescent and non-fluo rescent peritoneal fluid in patients with endometriosis. Methods: Eleven women with endometriosis received 5-aminolevulinic acid (30 mg/kg body weight) orally 10-14 hours before laparoscopy. At laparoscopy t he peritoneum was evaluated in white light and fluorescent light and perito neal fluid was obtained. The control group consisted of seven patients with normal peritoneal findings who did not receive 5-aminolevulinic acid. Ster ile filter disks were impregnated with peritoneal fluid and implanted on th e chorioallantoic membrane of fertilized chicken eggs (n = 105). Angiogenes is was evaluated after 4 days of incubation. Results: Strong fluorescence of the peritoneal fluid was seen in six of 11 patients with endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid from patients with endometrio sis had significantly more angiogenic activity than that from patients with normal peritoneal findings (p < 0.01). In patients with endometriosis, flu orescent peritoneal fluid had more angiogenic activity than nonfluorescent fluid (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The fluorescence of the peritoneal fluid may be a marker for t he activity of endometriosis.