Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of the work was to evaluate possible associations between the complement components C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and C1 inhibitor (C1INH) with pathogenesis of endometriosis. METHODS: Concentrations of C1q, MBL and C1INH were measured by ELISA in peritoneal fluid (PF) in 80 women with or without endometriosis. RESULTS: Significantly higher PF levels of C1q, MBL and C1INH in women with endometriosis compared to control group were observed (p < 0.0001). A higher concentration of the studied parameter was found in PF of women at the early stage of the disease, as compared to women with advanced endometriosis (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggests that in the peritoneal cavity in women with endometriosis there are abnormal regulations of both the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system. This can suggest impairments in purification of peritoneal cavity from ectopic endometrial cells and augmented local inflammation in endometriosis patients.