[Expression and distribution of aquaporin-5 in human nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the distribution and expression of aquaporin-5 (AQP-5) in nasal polyps and explore the role of AQP-5 in the formation of nasal polyps and the normal function of AQP-5 in the inferior turbinate.

METHOD: AQP-5 were studied in 30 samples nasal polyps and 12 samples of inferior turbinates with immunochemistric staing.

RESULT: The level of AQP-5 positive cells in the serous cells from nasal polyps were lesser than that from inferior turbinate, and the level of AQP-5 positive cells in the blood vessel endothelium from nasal polyps were more than that from inferior turbinate.

CONCLUSION

AQP-5 may play the role in both the formation of nasal polyps and the function of normal nasal mucous membrane.