Related Experiment Videos
Natural killer cell activity in endometriosis: correlation between serum estradiol levels and cytotoxicity
G G Garzetti1, A Ciavattini, M Provinciali
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ancona, Italy.
Objective:
To evaluate the correlation between natural killer cell activity and serum estradiol (E2) levels in patients with different stages of endometriosis.
Methods:
Natural killer cell activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum E2 levels were evaluated in 73 women who underwent laparoscopy for pelvic pain, infertility, and benign adnexal masses.
Results:
The 33 patients (45%) with endometriosis showed a significant decrease in natural killer cell activity in relationship to an increase in disease stage (correlation coefficient r = -0.83, P < .001). A significant inverse relationship was observed between cytotoxicity and serum E2 levels (correlation coefficient r = -0.89, P < .001).
Conclusion:
The relationship between natural killer cell activity and serum E2 levels suggests that an immunoendocrine interaction plays an important role in the progression of endometriosis.