Cathepsin D activity in nasal polyps

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the activity of cathepsin D in polyps removed during first-time FESS surgery and in recurrent polyps removed during successive FESS surgeries.

Design and methods: The study examined 24 polyps: 11 polyps were removed during first-time surgical procedures (termed primary polyps in the study), and 13 recurrent polyps were removed in successive FESS surgeries (termed polyps after re-polypectomy in the study). The activity of cathepsin D was determined by measuring the tyrosine released from denatured hemoglobin.

Result: The average cathepsin D activity in polyps after re-polypectomy was 74% higher than the average activity in primary polyps, whereas the difference between the maximum and the minimum cathepsin D activities in polyps after re-polypectomy was twofold greater than the respective difference in primary polyps.

Conclusion: Differences in cathepsin activity and the protein content, likely to be significant in the process of polyp recurrence, were observed in both groups of polyps.