The association of oxidative stress and nasal polyposis.

Many diseases are linked to damage from reactive oxygen species that occurs from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, a condition called oxidative stress. Nasal polyposis is considered to be an inflammatory condition in nasal and paranasal sinus cavities and its aetiology is still unclear. There are very few data on epithelial changes in nasal polyposis and their relationship with free radical damage. Malondialdehyde as a major end-product of lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide as antioxidants play important roles in oxidative stress. In this study, the concentrations of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were compared in normal and nasal polyposis-affected tissue samples. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher, and superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide levels were significantly lower in patients with nasal polyposis compared with the control group. This study demonstrates that there is a strong relationship between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.