ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASTIC PROCESSES AT DIFFERENT AGES: STUDY OF CYTOKINE STATUS AND SFAS LIGAND LEVELS

Objective. To study the local and systemic levels of cytokines and sFas ligand in endometrial hyperplastic processes and polyps at reproductive and premenopausal ages. Subjects and methods. One hundred and thirty-one women were examined. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to their age and histological findings. The patients’ uterine cavity aspiration specimens and sera were used to measure the concentrations of interleukin-2, intereukin-4, tumor necrosis factor-α, and sFas ligand by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. A p value < 0.05 was regarded as significant. Results. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of cytokines and sFas ligand in the uterine aspiration specimens from the patients with endometrial hyperplasia and polyps versus the controls of reproductive and premenopausal ages. All the groups showed signif icant differences in the uterine aspiration specimens and serum concentrations of cytokines and sFas ligand. Their concentrations were significantly higher in the uterine cavity aspiration specimens than those in the sera. There were no differences in the serum levels of cytokines and sFas in all the groups. Conclusion. Prior inflammatory diseases, intrauterine interventions, or intrauterine contraception may be a cause of local immunity dysfunction and Fas-dependent apoptosis in endometrial pathology. The determination of cytokines and sFas ligand in the uterine cavity aspiration specimens may be a useful diagnostic marker of endometrial hyperplasia and polyps.

endometrium, hyperplasia, polyp, cytokines