Free radical damage in nasal polyp tissue

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the free radical injury in nasal polyp tissue exists or not. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study in patients with nasal polyps, METHODS: Polyp specimens were obtained from 19 patients. Control specimens were acquired from 16 patients who underwent partial turbinectomy with concha bullosa free of rhinitis, sinusitis, and allergy confirmed by endoscopic nasal examination, coronal paranasal sinus CT scan, and prick test. MDA levels of nasal polyps and control specimens were measured by using the method of Knudsen et al, RESULTS: The mean MDA levels of nasal polyps and control specimens were 38.2 +/- 5.1 (33.3-52.2) and 33.9 +/- 1.6 (32.6-37.4), respectively. MDA levels in NP were significantly higher compared with control specimens (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High level of MDA in nasal polyp tissue that represents FR increase supports the existence of cell injury in nasal polyp tissue. FRs should be considered in the development and life cycles of NP which is thought to have multifactorial pathogenesis.