[Pentoxifylline and verapamil influence on the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis].

OBJECTIVES: Disturbances in topical immunological response during endometriosis, cell and humoral, is of particular interest nowadays. Increase in the number and activity of peritoneal macrophages depends to a large extent on calcium concentration. Pentoxifylline and verapamil are both known for their ability to regulate calcium homeostasis. DESIGN: Evaluation of the pentoxifilline and verapamil influence on the phagocytic activity of the peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incubation of the peritoneal fluid with latex in four sets: 1) control with medium for 30 minutes; 2) with pentoxyfilline (3.8 mmol/l) for 30 minutes; 3) with verapamil 0.4 mmol/1; 4) with pentoxyfilline and verapamil together. Percentage of phagocyting cells, phagocytosis index and a score of phagocyting activity was calculated after 30 minutes incubation. Verapamil showed to increase all parameters of phagocytosis in comparison with control. CONCLUSIONS: Verapamil is effective reagent in activity of peritoneal fluid macrophages. Further studies on larger group of patients are necessary to see if the changes are statistically relevant.