VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR SERUM LEVELS IN WOMEN WITH ADVANCED ENDOMETRIOSIS.

Context. Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, characterized by ectopic deposits of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity, and it is associated with pelvic pain and infertility, with an important impact on the quality of life. At this point there is a controversy regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of endometriosis and it seems that pro-angiogenic growth factors might be involved, but their role is not completely understood. Objective. To evaluate the serum concentration of the main growth factors in patients with diagnosed endometriosis compared to healthy controls. Sbjective. To evaluate the serum concentration of the main growth factors in patients with diagnosed endometriosis compared to healthy controls. Results. VEGF serum levels were significantly lower in women with endometriosis compared to controls (1.924±0.145 compared to 1.806±0.078 pg/mL, p<0.001). Serum levels of GM-CSF, b-FGF, EGF, and HGF respectively did not differ significantly between patients with endometriosis and healthy controls. G-CSF had a very low detection rate. Conclusions. The present study showed that VEGF serum levels are significantly lower in endometriosis patients compared to healthy controls, indicating a possible role in endometriosis pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]