Localization of nitric oxide syntases and small apoptotic molecules in the nasal mucosa in polypoid rhinosinusitis

Abstract

Aim. To study the localization of NO synthases and apoptosis markers in the nasal mucosa in rhinosinusitis patients with nasal polyps (RNP).Methods. We studied the biopsy material of nasal cavity polyps and mucous membrane sections of the inferior turbinates of female and male patients aged 35–70 years (n = 70, mean age 57.4 ± 1.52) undergoing surgical treatment in the otorhinolaryngological department of the Vladivostok Clinical Hospital No. 1. The experimental group included polyp materials obtained via polypectomy from patients (n = 50) with a clinically verified diagnosis of nasal polyps without a concomitant pathology of the nasal mucosa. The control group included two variants of nasal mucosa samples. Group I (control I) comprised the nasal mucosa material of patients diagnosed with deviated septum who underwent rhinoseptoplasty (n = 20) without polyposis and concomitant inflammatory and allergic pathologies. Group II (control II) comprised the mucous membrane material of inferior turbinates (n = 50), which was obtained during surgical treatment of patients with a clinical diagnosis of nasal polyps.Results. It was found that nasal mucosa cells in RNP are characterized by an increased expression of nNOS/iNOS markers, which correlates with the distribution of proapoptotic factors and depends on the clinical and morphological type of polyps.Conclusions. The development of RNP is accompanied with an increased expression of NOS and apoptosis factors in the nasal mucosa. The specific signal microenvironment provides favorable conditions for the formation of polyps of various morphological types.