Sex difference in counts of α4 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the nasal polyps of adults with or without exposure to tobacco smoke

Objective. To assess counts of alpha 4 and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in nasal polyps of adults with or without long-term exposure to cigarette tobacco smoke. Methods. Twenty-two patients with and 22 patients without exposure to cigarette tobacco smoke participated in the study. After endoscopic polypectomy, the fragments of the nasal polyps were analysed by immunohistochemistry. Results. Compared to patients with no exposure, patients with exposure showed higher counts of alpha 4 and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (t-test, p<0.05). However, in patients with no exposure, multivariate analysis showed gender dimorphism, with lower counts in males than in females, and no influence from other variables (analysis of covariance, p>0.05). Conclusion. Exposure to cigarette tobacco smoke may induce increased counts of alpha 4 and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in nasal polyps of adults, with lower counts in males than females without exposure to tobacco smoke.