Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) may play a role in the defense of normal human nasal mucosa against external noxious stimuli. Based on the fact that normal nasal mucosa is continuously exposed to inhaled toxicants and contains a considerable number of inflammatory cells, Trx and TrxR may be upregulated even in normal nasal mucosa and perhaps the difference in their expression levels between normal nasal mucosa and nasal polyp, if it exists at all, is small and therefore difficult to detect. Further studies will be needed to clarify the roles of Trx and TrxR in the pathogenesis of nasal polyp.
Objectives: The cellular antioxidant defense system includes thiol-containing proteins such as Trx and TrxR, which have recently attracted much attention due to their strong antioxidant radical quenching capabilities and other important biological functions related to the regulation of the cellular redox state. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression and distribution of Trx and TrxR in normal human nasal mucosa and nasal polyp, and to improve understanding of the significance of the Trx system in these conditions.
Material and methods: The expression and distribution of Trx and TrxR in normal human inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp were investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), semiquantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
Results: mRNAs and protein for both Trx and TrxR were detected in normal human inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that there was no significant difference in the expression levels of Trx and TrxR between inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp. Immunoreactivity for both Trx and TrxR was seen in nasal epithelial cells, glands and vascular endothelium of inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp. Trx and TrxR immunoreactivity was also found in inflammatory infiltrating cells in inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp.