Determination of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with endometriosis and its clinical significance

Objective To determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis(EM) and to evaluate its diagnostic values.Methods The level of VEGF in peritoneal fluid(PF) and serum was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from 44 women with EM(stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ n=10,stage Ⅲ n=20,stage Ⅳ n=14) and without EM(control group n=20) as well as progestin-treated group postoperatively for 3 months (n=18).The relation of VEGF in PF to EM and r-AFS was analysed,and the VEGF concentration in PF and serum were compared.At the same time,receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC) was used to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of VEGF in PF for diagnois the EM.Results ①The VEGF level in PF of EM patients was higher compared to control group (P0.05);②The VEGF level in serum of EM patients was significantly higher compared to counterback group (P0.05);③VEGF in PF is helpful for diagnosis the EM.Conclusion These data suggest that VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of EM.The use of angiogenesis inhibitor may provide a novel therapeutic approach for treating the EM.