Cytokine levels in nasal secretions in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients with nasal polyposis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the cytokine levels of subjects with nasal polyps (NP) and comorbid asthma and NP patients without asthma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with NP (15 asthmatic and 15 nonasthmatic) were included in this prospective study. Nasal secretion samples were collected from the nasal cavities of all subjects. The levels of eleven cytokines (TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-gamma) were measured using flow cytometric method.

RESULTS

The concentrations of Th2 cytokines IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with NP and asthma compared with subjects with NP without asthma. IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were found significantly higher in allergic patients with NP and asthma compared with those without asthma. In nonallergic patients with NP and asthma, the concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-5 and IL-6 were significantly higher than in nonallergic patients with NP without asthma.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the presence of Th2 cytokines, especially IL-5 and IL-6 in patients with NP and asthma is a prominent feature that relates to increased eosinophilic inflammation. We also found significant influence of asthma and allergy on the cytokine profiles in nasal secretions of patients with NP.