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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Investigating the Three-dimensional Flow Separation Induced by a Model Vocal Fold Polyp
Published on: February 3, 2014
[Possible involvement of hexosaminidase in vocal polyps--preliminary report]
Ewa Olszewska1, Bozena Kosztyła-Hojna, Małgorzata Borzym-Kluczyk
1Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku, Klinika Otolaryngologii. ewaolsz@yahoo.com
Unlabelled:
Vocal fold polyp is usually a result of the injury of the vocal cords. It often appears after vocal overuse or misuse causing trauma in vocal fold mid-membranous and wound formation. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to assess the activity of hexosaminidase in vocal fold polyps in the comparison to the control tissue.
Material And Methods:
Vocal polyps (n=8) were collected from 8 patients during direct laryngoscopy. Specimens of normal vocal folds were obtained from 8 cadavers (n=8) served as controls. Specimens were immediately frozen in -80 degrees C. To assess hexosaminidase activity, release of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenol derivatives was used.
Results:
We observed statistical differences between the activity of investigated enzyme in all vocal folds specimens compared with that in normal tissue homogenates. However the activity of HEX achieved a low level. Mean release of HEX from the activated cells in vocal fold specimens was 1.073 nkat/g wet tissue compared with 0.766 nkat/g wet tissue in normal cadaveric vocal fold homogenates.
Conclusions:
Low activity of HEX in vocal fold polyps suggests that inflammation may not be a primary factor in the development of the disease and other mechanism should likely be considered in the pathogenesis of vocal fold polyps.
