Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1 soluble receptor type II (IL-1 sRII) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra) in the peritoneal fluid and serum of infertile women with endometriosis

Objective: Endometriosis is an immune system-related gynaecological disease, characterised by an increase in number and activation of peritoneal macrophages. One of macrophage-derived factors is interleukin (IL)-1. The effects of IL-1 are inhibited by IL-1 receptor type 11 (IL-1 RII), soluble forms of IL-1 RII (IL-1 sRII) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra). The aim of our work was to study the IL-1 alpha, IL-1 sRII and IL-1 Ra levels in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum of women with endometriosis in relation to stage of disease. Study design: Concentrations of IL-1a, IL-1 sRII and IL-1 Ra were measured by ELISA assay in the PF and serum of 58 women; 43 with and 15 without endometriosis (control group). Results: Elevated PF and serum IL-1 alpha and IL-1 Ra levels in the women with endometriosis in comparison with the control group were observed. IL-1 sRII levels in PF and serum were higher in the controls than in the women with endometriosis. Concentrations of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 sRII were higher in advanced endometriosis, but higher IL-1 Ra was observed in the early stage of the disease. Conclusion: Impairment of regulation IL-1 activity in the peritoneal fluid and serum of women with endometriosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of the disease. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.