Objective: To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in the pathophysiology of nasal polyp.
Methods: Thirty-nine patients with nasal polyp were divided into two groups: group A(representing type 1 and type 2 phase 1-2) and group B (representing type 2 phase 3 and type 3). The expression of VEGF and and bFGF in both groups were studied with immunohistochemical method.
Results: VEGF and bFGF were not detected in norms. The detection rates of VEGF and bFGF were 59%, 41%, and 71%, 80% in group A and group B respectively. The positive rate and the number of positive cells were higher significantly in group B than that in group A. VEGF and bFGF were located mainly in the inflammatory cells and epithelial cells around the basilar membrane and inflammatory cells and endothelial cells around the vessel.
Conclusions: The overexpression of VEGF and bFGF in nasal polyp may contribute to the growth of vessels, accumulation of inflammatory cells, as a result, to enhance the development of nasal polyposis. This phenomenon maybe an important histological mark distinguishing ordinary polyp from polyposis.