Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 665-668 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Volume | 81 |
| Issue number | 5 I |
| Publication status | Published - 1993 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology