There is no relationship between Paraoxonase serum level activity in women with endometriosis and the stage of the disease: an observational study

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a chronic condition whose pathophysiology is unknown, but there is evidence suggesting a link with oxidative stress. Paraoxonase is a serum enzyme which circulates associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It acts protecting HDL and LDL of lipid peroxidation. We aimed to compare the serum levels of PON-1 activity in women with endometriosis in different stages of the disease (minimal/mild and moderate/severe). METHODS 80 infertile women with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy/laparotomy with histologic confirmation of the disease were divided according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification in minimal/mild (n = 33) and moderate/severe (n = 47) cases. Paraoxonase activity and arilesterase activity were measured by spectrophotometry. Body mass index and fasting glucose levels were also determined. RESULTS The paraoxonase activity were 191.29 ± 22.41 U/l in women with minimal/mild endometriosis and 224.85 ± 21.50 U/l in women with moderate/severe disease (P = 0.274). Considering arilesterase level, the results showed 89.82 ± 4.61 U/l in women with minimal/mild endometriosis and 90.78 ± 3.43 U/l in moderate/severe disease (P = 0.888). CONCLUSIONS Evidence of lower paraoxonase activity in women with endometriosis was not found in this study. Besides, no difference was found considering minimal/mild or moderate/severe endometriosis.