Vasoactive intestinal peptide is upregulated in women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain

• ProblemChronic pelvic pain (CPP) causes compromised the quality of life in women with endometriosis and is often attributed to local inflammation and ingrowth of nerve fibers. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate whether the inflammation‐related vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and interleukin (IL)‐6 were increased in affected patients.Method of studyEndometrial and endometriotic tissue biopsy specimens, and serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) samples, were obtained from 85 endometriosis patients and 53 controls. VIP and IL‐6 analysis and measurement of microvessel density in tissue were performed using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, RT‐qPCR, and ELISA.ResultsCompared with controls, VIP transcript and protein levels were increased in endometrium from endometriosis patients and further elevated in patients with CPP. In addition, microvessel density, a measurement of angiogenic activity, was increased in the endometrium and in endometriosis lesions in the same subset of patients. Serum and PF levels of VIP and IL‐6 were higher in women with endometriosis and CPP compared with endometriosis patients who reported no chronic pain.ConclusionVasoactive intestinal peptide is upregulated in endometriosis patients reporting chronic pain. Increased microvessel density in tissue and peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL‐6 indicate an elevated inflammation in the pelvic microenvironment of these patients.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

endometriosis

pain

inflammation

microvessel density

angiogenesis

neurotransmitter

endometrium

ectopic lesion

vasoactive intestinal peptide

VIP

interleukin

peritoneal fluid

Obstetrik och gynekologi

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)