Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important regulator of upper airway inflammation, mainly as part of the local naso-sinusal defense mechanisms. Increased arginase activity can reduce NO levels by decreasing the availability of its precursor, L-arginine. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been associated with low levels of nasal nitric oxide (nNO). Thus, the present study investigates the activity of arginase I (ARG1) and II (ARG2) in CRS and its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of this disease. Under endoscopic view, tissue samples of pathologic (n = 36) and normal (n = 29) rhinosinusal mucosa were collected. Arginase I and II mRNA levels were measured using real-time PCR. Our results showed low arginase I activity in all samples. The levels of ARG2 were significantly higher in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis compared to the control group (fold regulation (FR) 2.22 ± 0.42 vs. 1.31 ± 0.21, p = 0.016). Increased ARG2 expression was found in patients with CRS without nasal polyposis (FR 3.14 ± 1.16 vs. 1.31 ± 0.21, p = 0.0175), in non-allergic CRS (FR 2.55 ± 0.52 vs. 1.31 ± 0.21, p = 0.005), and non-asthmatic CRS (FR 2.42 ± 0.57 vs. 1.31 ± 0.21, p = 0.028). These findings suggest that the upregulation of ARG2 may play a role in the pathology of a distinctive phenotype of CRS.
Highlights
Despite being a well-known, prevalent medical condition with significant socioeconomic implications [1], the pathology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) currently remains a matter of great debate
ARG1 expression levels were globally low in the group of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis aTnadblien1t.hGe ecnoenrtarol lchgaroraucpte, rwishticshoisf twhehypathtiesnetswinercelundoetdcoinnsthideesrteuddfyo. rAsLta—tisatlilceargl ya,nAalSy—sisa.sItnhmpat.ients with chronic rhinosinusitis, significantly higher ARG2 values were observed compared to the control group
Its decrease is consistent with the severity of the disease, and a concentration increase was noted after therapeutic measures were applied [4,10,32]
Summary
Despite being a well-known, prevalent medical condition with significant socioeconomic implications [1], the pathology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) currently remains a matter of great debate. This chronic inflammatory process is considered to be multifactorial [2]. Nitric oxide (NO) has gained a central role in local chronic inflammatory reactions. Allergy tests were performed on all patients by an allergist or dermatologist, and the diagnosis of allergy was established based on existing clinical guidelines [20,21]
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