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[Nitric oxide synthase activity in nasal mucosa]
J Lorente1, J L Quesada, P Quesada
1Departamento de ORL, Hospital General Universitario Valle de Hebrón, Barcelona.
Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola
|December 29, 1998
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity is higher in nasal polyps than nasal mucosa. Nasal polyps primarily feature inducible NO synthase, while nasal mucosa has constitutive NO synthase, suggesting NO
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Respiratory Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator of airway function.
- NO is implicated in the pathology of various airway diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity in human nasal mucosa and nasal polyps.
- To determine the types and localization of NO synthase in these tissues.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of NO synthase activity using citrulline release assay.
- Localization of NO synthase via NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry.
- Analysis of tissue samples from septoplasty and polypectomy patients.
Main Results:
- Nasal polyps exhibit significantly higher total NO synthase activity compared to nasal mucosa.
- Nasal polyps predominantly contain inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity.
- Nasal mucosa primarily shows constitutive NO synthase (cNOS) activity.
- NO synthase activity was localized to epithelial cells in both tissue types.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide (NO) may function as a critical inflammatory mediator in the respiratory system.
- The nasal epithelium is a potential source of NO production in airway diseases.
- Differences in NO synthase activity may contribute to the pathophysiology of nasal polyps.