Objective: To assess the release of epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide-78 (ENA-78) into peritoneal fluid in women with and without endometriosis.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Nagoya City University Hospital.
Patient(s): Surgery was scheduled in the proliferative or secretory phase of the menstrual cycle for 59 women with (n = 35) and without (n = 24) endometriosis.
Intervention(s): Peritoneal fluid samples were obtained at laparotomy or laparoscopy.
Main outcome measure(s): The ENA-78 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Result(s): The concentrations of ENA-78 in the peritoneal fluid were markedly elevated in the endometriosis patients as compared with the controls, especially in women with severe stage disease.
Conclusion(s): We conclude that ENA-78 is an important factor that may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis, possibly promoting neovascularization.