Role of soluble neural cell adhesion molecule, soluble IL-2 receptor ɑ, and IL-2 in pelvic pain severity and their association with endometriosis in infertile women.

Abstract

Introduction: Pelvic pain, often associated with endometriosis, significantly affects women's quality of life. This study explored the soluble neural cell adhesion molecules (sNCAM), soluble interleukin 2 receptor α (sIL-2Rα), and IL-2 levels in the serum and peritoneal fluid of infertile women with pelvic pain.

Methods: We enrolled 86 infertile women aged 24 to 41 years undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy: 44 women with endometriosis and 42 women who acted as controls. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale. The soluble molecules were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Serum and peritoneal sNCAM, sIL-2Rα, and IL-2 levels were statistically significantly higher in women with pelvic pain. Both serum and peritoneal sNCAM levels correlated with visual analog scale scores, indicating a relationship between these markers and pain severity. Elevated peritoneal sIL-2Rα levels were also associated with pelvic pain. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the potential of serum sNCAM in distinguishing between mild and moderate to severe pain.

Discussion: Elevated levels of sNCAM, sIL-2Rα, and IL-2 in serum and peritoneal fluid correlate with pelvic pain severity in infertile women, suggesting their involvement in disease pathogenesis and potential as objective biomarkers for pain assessment in endometriosis. Further research is needed to validate these findings for clinical use.