Changes of IFN,IL -4,IL -12 and IL -12P40 in Endometriosis

Objective To study the relationship of endometrosis with the balance of IL - 4, IFN-r,IL-12,IL-12P40. Methods Concentrations of IL-4 ,IFN -r ,IL - 12 ,IL - 12P40 in blood and peritoneal fluid of 20 EM patients were measured by RT - PCR and ELISA, and were compared with those of 10 non - EM Patients. Results 1. The levels of IL - 12 in blood (66. 38 ± 12. 6) pg/ml and peritoneal fluid(77. 76±14. 6) pg/ml in EM patients were respectively significantly lower than in control (84.97±13. 7)pg/ml and (106.92±107)pg/ml(P 0.05).2. There was no statistical difference between EM patients ( 35. 64 ± 10. 6 ) pg/ml and controls in the level of IL - 12P40 in blood ( P 0. 05 ) . Howerer, the level of IL - 12P40 in peritoneal fluid of EM patients(79. 76 ± 12. 6) pg/ml was significantly higher than that of the controls(P 0. 05) ,and in negative correlation to the degree of EM. 3. The IL -4/IFN -r ratio in EM patients (0.328) was siginficantly higher than in the control (0. 07). Conclusion The decrease of IL - 12 in EM patients and the increase of IL - 12P40 might be related to the decreased function of NK which is associated with EM. The concentration of IL -4 in EM PBMC increases and Th2 shifts up and predominates.