Abstract:

Objective   To study the expression and distribution of aquaporin4 (AQP-4) in nasal polyps and to explore the AQP-4 on formation of nasal polyps mechanism and function. Methods   By an immunohistochemical method， the test was carried out to explore the expression and distribution of AQP-4 in 60 nasal polyps and 30 inferior turbinate mucous membranes (all samples were chosen from clinical operations and fresh issues). The statistical analysis was performed with a two independent sample t-test. Results   Whether in nasal polyps or in inferior turbinate mucous membranes, AQP-4 was distributed in the epithelial cells, lamina propria glands cell, vascular endothelial and blood sinus. Nasal polyps in the epithelial cells, vascular endothelial and blood sinus number of positive cells were higher than in inferior turbinate mucosa with statistically significant differences. Conclusion   The expression of AQP-4 is significantly higher in epithelial cell, vascular endothelial and blood sinus, which reveals that AQP-4 is associated with rhinal secretion increase and nasal mucosa edema.

Key words: Immunohistochemistry, Nasal polyp, Aquaporin-4