Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 expression levels in nasal polyposis.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the possible role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) in nasal polyp development. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-one patients (15 males, 6 females; mean age 44.3 years; range 16 to 65 years) who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyposis (NP) were included in the study. Inferior turbinate mucosa samples were taken in addition to the polyp tissue which was already removed during routine procedure. The NAG-1 gene messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of the polyp tissue and healthy turbinate mucosa were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of comorbid asthma. RESULTS The NAG-1 gene expression of the polyp tissue was 1,089 fold higher, compared to the healthy nasal mucosa (p=0.757). The NAG-1 mRNA levels were 2.13 times decreased in the patients with comorbid asthma (p=0.275). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION With the findings of this study NAG-1 gene may play a role in nasal polyp development in the presence of comorbid asthma.