Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in peritoneal fluids of women with endometriosis.

Abstract

To investigate whether platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase may play a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Peritoneal fluids were obtained at laparoscopy from eight fertile women without endometriosis and 12 women with mild endometriosis. Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity was assayed in serum and peritoneal fluid by the release of 3H-acetate from [3H]-platelet-activating factor during a 15-minute incubation. Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity (mean +/- standard error of the mean) was significantly lower (P < .01) in peritoneal fluids from women with mild endometriosis (29.5 +/- 2.7%) than in controls (39.9 +/- 3.4%). The platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase-cholesterol and -albumin ratios were also significantly lower in peritoneal fluids of women with endometriosis compared with controls (P < .006 and P < .012, respectively). These data suggest that mild endometriosis is associated with decreased platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in peritoneal fluid.