Relationship between Vascular Growth Factor Levels and Endometriosis

Objective To study the role of vascular growth factors in serum and ascitic fluid in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Methods Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and transfoming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) levels in the serum and ascitic fluid in 20 cases of endometriosis and 14 cases of non -endometriosis were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay while the levels of epiderma growth factor (EGF) determined by radioim-munoassay. These levels, together with their correlation with each other and their relation to the staging of endometriosis were analyzed. Results Serum and ascitic fluid VEGF levels [(525. 2±365. 0) ng/L, (343. 2±178.1) ng/L] were obviously higher those in the coltrol group [(52. 2±38.4) ng/L, (36. 2±23. 6) ng/L] (P 0. 01). Serum TGF-β1, levels (85.8±25. 7) ng/L were apparently lower than those in the control group (123. 9±73. 6)μg/L while the levels in ascitic fluid (117. 4±62. 7) μg/L higher than those in the control group (67. 5±23. 7) μg/L. EGF levels showed little difference between the two groups. Serum VEGF and ascitic fluid TGF -β1 were negatively correlated. Serum TGF β1, serum EGF and ascitic fluid TGFβ1 were positively correlated and so was the case with serum EGF, ascitic fluid TGF β1 and EGF, as well as ascitic fluid EGF and TGF -β1. All were significantly varied (P 0.05). The three kinds of growth factors were not apparently related to the staging of endometriosis. Conclusion Changes of vascular growth factor levels are closely related to the onset of endometriosis.