Endometrial release of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and endometriosis: Relationship to the extent of the disease

Abstract Objective: To relate endometrial release of the soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 with extent of endometriosis. Methods: Samples of endometrium were collected from 23 women with endometriosis. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was quantified in conditioned medium from 48-hour endometrial stromal cell cultures with use of a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels were correlated with revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification score for adhesions, implants, and cysts and total score; number of endometriotic implants; cyst diameter; and presence or absence of pelvic pain symptoms and previous surgical procedures for endometriosis. Results: Endometrial release of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 directly correlated with number of implants ( r = .64, P r = .61, P r = –0.52, P Conclusion: The association between endometrial release of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and the number and score of endometriotic implants suggests that the molecule might be of value in evaluating spread potential of refluxed endometrium.