NITRIC OXIDE LEVELS OF NASAL MUCOSA AND NASAL POLYP TISSUES
1KSU, KBB Anabilim Dalı, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye2KSU, Biyokimya Anabilim Dalı, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye Objective: Nasal polyp (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sinuses, pathophysiology of which is still unknown clearly. Chronic inflammation may lead to the production of various metabolites including NO. NO, along with its many essential roles in immunity and host defence, can also undergo reactions that may result in cytotoxic or mutagenic effects leading to direct DNA damage. The aim of the study was to investigate nitric oxide (NO) level in nasal polyps and normal mucosa.
Methods: Tissue specimens were obtained from 23 patients undergone endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyposis and 14 patients (as a control group) undergone septoplasty and turbinoplasty for septal deviation and lower turbinate hypertrophy. All tissue specimens obtained were washed with physiological saline to remove blood. Tissues were homogenized and then centrifuged, and supernatants were used for NO measurement. NO level was measured as total nitrit by the method of Griess spectrophotometrically. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test was used.
Results: Mean NO level was found to be 0.0718 ± 0.0125 µmol/mg protein in polyps and 0.0418 ± 0.0060 µmol/mg protein in control nasal mucosa. In patients with NP, mean tissue NO levels were significantly higher than those of control nasal mucosa (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The present study showed significant increase in NO level in NP tissues compared to control. Excess formation of NO may have a role in the development or maintenance of the disease but further studies are needed to elucidate the role of NO in NP.
Keywords : Nitric oxide (NO), nasal polyp