[Effect of erythromycin on the expression of apoptotic gene on eosinophils in nasal polyps in vitro].

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of apoptotic gene in nasal polyps and the possible effect of erythromycin on it.

METHODS

Total 40 nasal polyps biopsies were detected the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL as well as Fas protein on eosinophils by immunohistochemistry. The expression of Bax, Bcl-xL, Fas on eosinophils in 15 nasal polyps explants which cultured with or without erythromycin were detected also.

RESULTS

In nasal polyps, the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL and Fas protein on eosinophils are 5% (2/10), 65% (26/40), 40% (16/40) and 90% (36/40) respectively. As compared with inferior turbinate, there were significant difference in expression of Bax and Fas protein between two tissues (P < 0.05). After cultured with erythromycin, the expression of Bax protein increased (P < 0.05), but the expression of Bcl-xL and Fas protein had not changed.

CONCLUSION

Bax may be the most significant gene which control the apoptosis of eosinophils in nasal polyps. And a possible mechaism which erythromycin promote the apoptosis of eosinophils is increase the expression of Bax.