Possible Correlation between Urocortin 1 (Ucn1) and Immune Parameters in Patients with Endometriosis

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 9; p. 7787
• Main Authors: Abramiuk, Monika, Frankowska, Karolina, Kułak, Krzysztof, Tarkowski, Rafał, Mertowska, Paulina, Mertowski, Sebastian, Grywalska, Ewelina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24.04.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: B cells; Biomarkers; Care and treatment; Comparative analysis; Computer software industry; Correlation analysis; deep infiltrating endometriosis; Development and progression; Diagnostic systems; Endometriosis; Endometriosis - diagnosis; Endometrium; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Immune system; Immunology; interleukins; Lymphocytes; Neuropeptides; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Diseases; ovarian endometrioma; Parameters; Pathogenesis; Pelvis; Peptides; Peritoneal fluid; ROC Curve; Urocortin; urocortin 1; Urocortins; Women; Womens health; Poland; Canada; United States; peritoneal endometriosis; deep infiltrating endometriosis; endometriosis; immune system; ovarian endometrioma; urocortin 1; interleukins
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097787

The etiology of endometriosis (EMS) has not been clearly elucidated yet, and that is probably the reason why its diagnostic process is frequently long-lasting and inefficient. Nowadays, the non-invasive diagnostic methods of EMS are still being sought. Our study aimed to assess the serum and peritoneal fluid levels of urocortin 1 (Ucn1) in patients with EMS and healthy women. Moreover, considering the immune background of the disease, the association between Ucn1 and several immune parameters was studied in both groups. We found that the serum Ucn1 level was significantly upregulated in women with EMS compared to healthy patients. Moreover, higher serum Ucn1 levels tended to correspond with more advanced stages of the disease ( = 0.031). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that based on serum Ucn1 levels, it is possible to distinguish deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) from among other EMS types. Together, these results indicate Ucn1 as a possible promising biomarker of EMS: however, not in isolation, but rather to enhance the effectiveness of other diagnostic methods.