Altered vascular endothelial growth factor production by peritoneal macrophages from patients with endometriosis

Objective: To investigate the ability producing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitro by peritoneal macrophages collected from patients with endometriosis. Method: Macrophages were recovered from peritoneal fluid obtained at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy from infertile women with endometriosis (endometriosis group, n=25 ) and without endometriosis (control group, n=20 ). Macrophages were cultured at 37℃,5%CO 2 for 24 hours in vitro. The VEGF levels of peritoneal fluid and macrophage culture supernatant were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: VEGF levels of peritoneal fluid were significantly higher in endometriosis group than those in control ( P0.01 ). Peritoneal macrophages from patients with endometriosis released more VEGF than those from controls ( P0.01 ). Conclusion: It is suggested that altered secretory ability of peritoneal macrophages may contribute to the elevation of VEGF levels in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis.