Increased interleukin-6 levels in peritoneal fluid of infertile patients with active endometriosis

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This study investigated peritoneal fluid from infertile patients and found elevated levels of interleukin-6 in those with active endometriosis.

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Abstract

ObjectiveOur purpose was to investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-6 soluble receptor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in peritoneal fluid and the size and number of active red endometriotic lesions.Study designIn a university hospital 39 women of reproductive age underwent either laparoscopy for infertility workup or laparoscopic surgery for ovarian chocolate cysts. Peritoneal fluid was collected by laparoscopy. Active lesions, such as red flamelike lesions, glandlike lesions, and red vesicles, were scored according to the revised American Fertility Society classification system according to the size and number of active lesions. Peritoneal fluid levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-6 soluble receptor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The relationship between peritoneal fluid concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the score of active endometriosis was investigated.ResultsPeritoneal fluid levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly higher in patients with endometriosis compared with patients without endometriosis. The concentrations in patients with active endometriosis increased as the size and the number of active lesions increased. Cyclic variations in interleukin-6 concentrations were seen in peritoneal fluid from patients with endometriosis; the concentrations in the secretary phase were significantly higher than those in the proliferative phase.ConclusionsIncreased peritoneal fluid levels of interleukin-6 in patients with active red endometriosis may relate to endometriosis-associated infertility and to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Ascitic Fluid Endometriosis Infertility, Female Interleukin-6 Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Adult Antigens, CD Antigens, CD Ascitic Fluid Endometriosis Female Growth Inhibitors Growth Inhibitors Humans Infertility, Female Interleukin-6 Receptors, Interleukin Receptors, Interleukin Receptors, Interleukin-6 Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

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References (39)

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europepmc
last seen: 2026-07-27T06:15:28.040536+00:00
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