Cytokine
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To investigate the neurotrophic properties of endometriosis, as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors in the development of chronic pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis, we performed a prospective clinical study. The presence of neurotrophins was investigated in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with peritoneal endometriotic lesions or adenomyosis, as well as from women with non-endometriotic adhesions and from women without endometriosis/adenomyosis/adhesions. The PF from patients with peritoneal endometriotic lesions was divided in three groups: asymptomatic endometriosis, minimal pain and severe pain. ⋯ The induced neurite outgrowth could only be inhibited in DRG incubated with peritoneal endometriotic lesions. Interestingly, the outgrowth of sympathetic ganglia was inhibited in all studied groups. The present study suggests that only peritoneal endometriotic lesions lead to an increased release of NGF and NT-3 into the PF and that NGF modulates the nerve fiber growth in endometriosis.
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is inducing oxidative stress and consequently promotes systemic inflammation and cardiovascular morbidity. The respective impact of obesity, sleep apnea and acute cardiovascular events on the profile of inflammatory cytokines has not been extensively evaluated. We examined the profile of circulating cytokines in a case-control study comparing nonobese or obese patients with or without sleep apnea and with or without an acute cardiovascular event. ⋯ Rantes and sICAM serum levels were independently associated with AHI after an acute cardiovascular event. Serum levels of different inflammatory markers were significantly increased in patients with the combination of sleep apnea and an acute cardiovascular event. Since these biomarkers could be associated with worsened cardiovascular outcome, diagnosing and treating associated sleep apnea is potentially important in patients after an acute cardiovascular event.