The expression of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in endometriosis

Objective: To investigate the association between concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) with regard to the severity of endometriosis.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Infertility unit in a university hospital.

Patient(s): Seventy-one infertile patients who underwent laparoscopic evaluation were divided into two groups: 36 patients with endometriosis served as cases, and 35 patients without endometriosis served as control subjects.

Intervention(s): Peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid (PF) were collected from these patients during laparoscopic examination.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Quantitative determination of levels of human ICAM-1 and IFN-γ was performed with the use of an ELISA. The data were evaluated by Student’s t-test, analysis of variance, and regression analysis.

Result(s): Significantly elevated levels of soluble ICAM-1 were found in the sera of patients with endometriosis, especially those with advanced stages of the disease. Decreased IFN-γ levels, which were negatively correlated with serum levels of soluble ICAM-1, also were noted in the PF of patients with endometriosis.

Conclusion(s): The increased serum levels of ICAM-1 found in patients with endometriosis may indicate the presence of an active disease process. Further, the increased levels of soluble ICAM-1 in peripheral blood were inversely correlated with the concentrations of IFN-γ in PF. The increased levels of soluble ICAM-1 in plasma may be associated with an immunologic feedback response that blocks further infiltration of immune cells. These findings may be of value in the diagnosis and evaluation of endometriosis.