THE ROLE OF NASAL MUCOSAL Na+/K+-ATPase PROTEIN ALPHA 1 ISOFORM
EXPRESSION, Na+/K+-ATPase ACTIVITY, AND TOTAL ATPase ACTIVITY IN THE
NASAL POLYP PATHOPHYSIOLOGY : A RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIAL
Abstract
Background: The Na+/K+-ATPase pump plays a vital role in maintaining the
osmotic balance between intracellular and extracellular compartments.
This study is designed to reveal possible differences of Na+/K+-ATPase
activity, Na+/K+-ATPase α1 protein expression, and total ATPase (Na/K
ATPase, Ca ATPase, H/K ATPase) activity in cell membranes of nasal
mucosa with polyps. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with chronic
rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) for the first time were
included in study group. Patients who underwent bilateral endoscopic
sinus surgery (ESS) for reasons other than chronic sinusitis constituted
the control group. Uncinate mucosa was sampled without local/topical
anesthesia. Na+/K+ ATPase α1 protein level was measured by ELISA, and
total ATPase activity and Na+/K+ ATPase activity by the colorimetric
method. Results: There was no statistically difference between
Na+/K+-ATPase α1 protein expression values between the study and control
groups (P>0.683). Total ATPase activity was lower in nasal
polyp patients without significance (P>0.140).
Na+/K+-ATPase activity was significantly lower in nasal polyp patients
when compared to the control group (P<0.033). In male
patients, Na+/K+-ATPase activity and total ATPase activity were
significantly lower in the study group (P<0.016 and
P<0.020). Conclusions: Decreased Na+/K+-ATPase activity may be
involved in the etiology of CRSwNP, by means of changing osmotic
balance. In addition, the significant decrease in Na+/K+-ATPase activity
and total ATPase activity in male CRS patients with nasal polyps
suggests that there may be gender (or hormonal) differences in the
etiology of CRSwNP. Key Points: Decreased Na+/K+-ATPase activity may be
involved in the etiology of CRSwNP. The significant decrease in
Na+/K+-ATPase activity and total ATPase activity in male CRS patients
with nasal polyps suggests that there may be gender (or hormonal)
differences in the etiology of CRSwNP. Key words: Ca2+ ATPase, H+/K+
ATPaz, Nasal polyp, Chronic Rhinosinusit, Na+/K+-ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase
α1 protein expression, total ATPase Key Points: Decreased Na+/K+-ATPase
activity may be involved in the etiology of CRSwNP. This study might
contribute to solve the therapeutic challenges in CRSwNP which might be
due to unexplained physiopathology of nasal polyposis.