The influence of danazol on angiogenesis in endometriosis woman

Background: Angiogenesis and inflammation are pivotal processes in developing endometriosis in the peritoneal cavity. The aim of the study was to evaluate these two processes in women with endometriosis and treated with danazol. The second object of the study was to determine the sensitivity of a non-invasive test combined of studied biomarkers in diagnosing endometriosis. Methods>/b>: The case control study was conducted in a group of 103 women diagnosed laparoscopically for endometriosis. 35 patients were qualified to the treatment with danazol. Pain assessment was in Visual Analogue Scale. Endometriosis was assessed with rASRM scale. In serum Ca-125, CRP, VEGF and IL-1β were determined before and after danazol treatment. IL-8 expression in the endometrium was determined before treatment. Results: Endometriosis group (68.9% of patients) demonstrated a higher concentration of Ca-125 in serum and higher levels of both Ca125 and VEGF in the peritoneal fluid. The expression of mRNA for IL-8 in the endometrium was significantly higher in the study group. After treatment with danazol a lower VAS score and a lower level of Ca-125 (p<0.001) was observed. The concentration of VEGF in plasma increased (p=0.009). For the diagnosis of endometriosis, no combination of the given markers reached a sensitivity higher than 60%. Conclusions: Treatment with danazol is highly effective in relieving pain and decreasing the concentration of Ca-125. A higher level of VEGF in plasma after treatment might imply stimulation of angiogenesis.