Measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with endometriosis

Objective It is to discuss the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ascitic fluid and serum on the pathogenesis of endometriosis (EM).Methods VEGF contents in ascitic fluid and serum of 35 patients with EM (study group) and 20 patients without EM (control group) were measured with enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The VEGF concentration and the relation with EM stage (R-AFS) were analyzed. Results The VEGF concentration in ascitic fluid and serum of study group were obviously higher than that of control group (P0.01). In each group, the VEGF concentration in ascitic fluid was higher than that in serum (P0.05). The VEGF concentrations in ascitic fluid and serum in stage 3 and 4 were both obviously higher than that in stage 1 and 2 (P0.01). The VEGF concentration in hyperplastic stage was obviously higher than that in excretive stage (P0.05). There was no obviously relation between R-AFS and VEGF in ascitic fluid and serum, and no relation between VEGF in ascitic fluid and that in serum.Conclusion The VEGF increasing of patients with EM may cause the changing of the celiac microenvironment which leads to EM.