PAPP-A and osteoprotegerin, together with interleukin-8 and RANTES, are elevated in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, glycodelin, osteoprotegerin, and soluble CD163 are possible peritoneal fluid markers for endometriosis and to compare them with the established chemokine markers interleukin-8 and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted. Study design Determination of the concentrations of interleukin-8, regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, glycodelin, CD163, osteoprotegerin, and progesterone in the peritoneal fluid collected from women undergoing laparoscopy. Results From a total of 132 women, 77 women were diagnosed with endometriosis, and 55 women were free of the disease and served as control subjects. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and osteoprotegerin showed significantly (P< 0.05) elevated peritoneal fluid concentrations as a function of the severity of the disease, together with interleukin-8 and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (P< .001). Glycodelin and CD163 did not differ between cases and control subjects. Many of these marker concentrations were intercorrelated strongly. Conclusion Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and osteoprotegerin may play a role in the inflammation process of endometriosis, but interleukin-8 and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted are superior peritoneal fluid markers.