Expression of VEGF in endometriosis

Objective To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in sera, peritoneal fluid(PF)and tissue from women with and without endometriosis and explore the role of VEGF in endometriosis(EM). Methods VEGF contents were determined by ELISA.VEGF in endometrium tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results ①The level of VEGF in sera and PF of patients with EM in each stage was significantly higher than that in controls (P0.01).The level of VEGF in stages Ⅰ/Ⅱwas significantly higher than that in stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ (P0.05). Median concentration of VEGF in PF was significantly higher than that in sera in each group.Both uterine endometrium and ectopic endometriotic tissue from women with endometriosis expressed significantly (P0.05) higher level of VEGF than endometrium from normal women.The level of VEGF protein expression in stagesⅠ/Ⅱ was significantly higher than that in stages Ⅲ/Ⅳ (P0.05).②There was positive correlation between expression of VEGF in ectopic endometrium and in peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients. Conclusion VEGF play an important role in the development of endometriosis.