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.