The changes of IL-6,TNF-α levels in serum and peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis

Objective To study the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-alfa(TNF- α)in serum and peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis,to explore their roles in pathogenesis of endometriosis. Methods IL-6 and TNF-α levels in peritoneal fluid and serum of 60 patients with endometriosis(34 cases in Ⅰ ～ Ⅱ stage,26 cases in Ⅲ ～ Ⅳ stage)and 30 control cases(not EMS patients)were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Peritoneal fluid and serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in EMS group were significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.01),and peritoneal fluid and serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in Ⅲ ～Ⅳ stage was siguificantly higher than that in Ⅰ ～ Ⅱ stage(P＜0.01). Conclusion IL-6 and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid and serum played an important role in pathogenesis of endometriosis. Key words: Endometriosis; Interleukin-6; Tumor necrosis factor-α