Objective: To study the expression and significance of vascular permeability factor(VPF) in nasal polyps.
Methods: Expression of VPF and its receptor flk-1 in nasal polyps from 9 patients and inferior turbinates from 8 patients with chronic rhinitis were prospectively studied with immunohistochemistry. Each tissue section was observed under optical microscope.
Results: The VPF positivity in vascular endothelium and in gland cell was significantly higher in nasal polyps than in inferior turbinates (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The flk-1 labeling index of vascular endothelium was significantly higher in nasal polyps than that in inferior turbinates (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: VPF may play a key role in the formation of heavy edema of nasal polyps.