2476-M.GIN./Review MINERVA GINECOL 2003;55:000-000 Peritoneal fluid environment in endometriosis Clinicopathological

Endometriosis is a puzzling disorder with obscure pathogenesis. The objective of this review was to evaluate the complex role of per-itoneal fluid in the etiopathogenesis of endome-triosis. Several studies suggest that peritoneal fluid is a key inflammatory environment asso-ciated with endometriosis. Many active sub-stances (cytokines, growth factors, hormones and oxidative stress parameters) have been identified in endometriosis patients at different stages of the disease. Inflammatory mediators may be involved in the endometriosis associat-ed-infertility and possibly pain. Furthermore, these mediators may represent a non surgical method for diagnosing endometriosis. Better understanding of the mechanism of cytokines, growth factor and reactive oxygen species pro-duction and detoxification and further investi-gation of their effects on the peritoneal fluid environment are essential to obtain new insight into this disease and eventually develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic remedies.