Results
PMID | 9176444 |
Gene Name | IL4 |
Condition | Endometriosis |
Association |
Associated |
Population size | 50 |
Population details | 50 (7 women with normal pelvic structure, 36 patients with endometriosis, and 7 women with pelvic adhesion) |
Sex | Female |
Associated genes | IL-10, IL-12 |
Other associated phenotypes |
Endometriosis |
Fertil Steril. 1997 Jun;67(6):1059-64. Hsu, C C| Yang, B C| Wu, M H| Huang, K E Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cytokines by T-helper cells type 1 (interleukin [IL]-2 and interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]) and type 2 (IL-4 and IL-10) in peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal fluid (PF) cells from patients with endometriosis. DESIGN: Peripheral blood (PB) monocytes and PF cells from patients with endometriosis were isolated and the expression of cytokines investigated. SETTING: Institute for the treatment of endometriosis and research institute in university-based medical center. PATIENT(S): The study included 7 women with normal pelvic structure, 36 patients with endometriosis, and 7 women with pelvic adhesion but without apparent endometriotic lesion. The existence and severity of endometriosis was determined by laparoscopic examination. INTERVENTION(S): All patients received laparoscopic operation to identify the existence and stages of endometriosis. Danazol (200 mg, twice daily) was prescribed for those with endometriosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Transcription of cytokines were directly analyzed using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. The concentrations of cytokines in peritoneal fluids and sera were analyzed by the ELISA. RESULT(S): Levels of IL-4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in the PB and peritoneal cells of patients with endometriosis were higher than those of normal patients, whereas levels of IFN-gamma mRNA and protein were suppressed. There were no significant changes in the mRNA or protein levels of IL-2 or IL-10 in both peritoneal fluids and sera. The level of IL-4 was reduced to normal after combined treatment with laparoscopic surgery and danazol. The secretion of IFN-gamma was elevated after treatment. CONCLUSION(S): Cytokine secretion by T-helper cells type 1 and type 2 is altered in women with endometriosis, suggesting that these T-helper subsets play a role in the immunologic responses to endometriosis. Mesh Terms: Ascitic Fluid/chemistry/*immunology| Cytokines/*biosynthesis| Danazol/therapeutic use| Endometriosis/drug therapy/*immunology/pathology| Estrogen Antagonists/therapeutic use| Female| Humans| Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis| Interleukin-10/biosynthes |