Pelvic endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with an immunological background. Yet there is paucity of contemporary research exploring both the angiogenic cytokines, leptin and IL-8 for a possible role in its pathophysiology.
Objective: To compare levels of both leptin and IL-8 in peritoneal fluid (PF) in women with endometriosis vs. fertile controls and correlate with disease stage, type and symptoms.
Materials and methods: PF from 58 women with endometriosis and 28 women undergoing tubal ligation was collected at laparoscopy and leptin and IL-8 levels were measured using ELISA. Results showed significantly higher levels of both cytokines in women with endometriosis. Significantly higher leptin and IL-8 levels were demonstrated in patients with early peritoneal (ASRM stage I and II) and advancing disease (ASRM stage III and IV), respectively. Levels of leptin/IL-8 were significantly lower in patients with endometrioma (4.8 ng/mL/32 pg/mL) vs. implants (13.0 ng/mL/68 pg/mL). There was no correlation of infertility or chronic pelvic pain with these levels.
Conclusion: Both leptin and IL-8 levels are raised in PF of women with endometriosis reflecting inflammation and dysregulated immunomodulation. Higher levels of leptin were seen in early stages; IL-8 seems to stimulate the disease in a dose-dependent manner.