Clinical significance of serum Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients with endometriosis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Endometriosis (EMS) is a challenging gynecological disorder prevalent in reproductive-aged women, and Th1/Th2 cytokines are implicated in EMS progression. This study probed the serum levels and clinical values of Th1/Th2 cytokines in EMS patients. Firstly, the clinic characteristics of EMS and control patients were recorded. The levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in the serum of EMS and control patients were identified, respectively. The correlations between Th1 and Th2 cytokines and the diagnostic values of these cytokines in EMS were analyzed. We observed that EMS patients had obvious differences from the controls in dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, nulliparous, and CA125 levels. Serum IFN-γ and IL-2 were lower while IL-4 and IL-10 were higher in EMS patients. Serum IFN-γ, IL-4 were negatively correlated with serum IL-2, and IL-10 in EMS patients. Th1/Th2 cytokines may help the diagnosis of EMS. Serum IFN-γ and IL-2 were independent protective factors for EMS while dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, nulliparous, and serum IL-4 and IL-10 were independent risk factors for EMS. Collectively, serum Th1/Th2 cytokine levels helped the diagnosis of EMS, with IFN-γ and IL-2 serving as independent protective factors whilst IL-4 and IL-10 serving as independent risk factors.