Measurement of cytokine RANTES in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis

Objective: To measure the changes of cytokine RANTES concentrations in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis,and to explore the role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.Methods: The RANTES concentrations in peritoneal fluid from 12 normal control subjects,12 patients with mild endometriosis(stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ),and 16 patients with moderate to severe endometriosis(stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ) were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The correlation analysis between RANTES concentrations in peritoneal fluid and the severity of endometriosis or dysmenorrhea score were performed.Results: RANTES concentrations in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis were significantly higher than those in controls(P0.01).There was significant difference in RANTES concentrations between patients with mild endometriosis and those with moderate to severe endometriosis(P0.05).The RANTES concentrations were significantly correlated with the severity of endometriosis(P0.01),but no significant correlation was found between RANTES concentrations and dysmenorrheal score(P0.05).Conclusion: The abnormally elevated RANTES concentrations in peritoneal fluid may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.