atrial-natriuretic-factor and Rhinitis

Using 32P labelled rat ANF cDNA probe, the ANF gene transcripts in rat nasal mucosa and the effect of glucocorticoid and estrogen on the ANF gene transcripts was examined by Dot blot and Northern blot hybridization. Further more, the gene expression of ANF in nasal mucosa tissues of some patients with nasal diseases were also examined. The results showed that nasal mucosa contained ANF mRNA which could synthesize ANF. Both estrogen and glucocorticoid could enhance ANF gene expression in nasal mucosa with dose dependance. The gene expression of ANF in nasal polyps and inferior turbinate mucosa of patients with nasal polyps was more evident than that in other pathological conditions. The clinical significance of ANF in nasal mucosa was also discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Dexamethasone; Estradiol; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Rats; Rhinitis; RNA, Messenger

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels of nasal secretion and blood plasma were measured in 40 patients with chronic nasal conditions and 20 healthy subjects by a sensitive radioimmunoassay. In the healthy subjects, the mean blood ANP level was lower than, but not parallel with, the mean nasal ANP level (p less than 0.05). Among the patients, the blood ANP levels were higher in those with nasal polyposis, atrophic rhinitis and nasal allergy, while lower in simple rhinitis and recurrent epistaxis, than in the control group. Apart from nasal polyposis, all the patients were found to have a lower level of nasal ANP. The conclusion is that the nose may be capable of producing ANP independently from the plasma level. In patients with chronic nasal obstructive disease, the endocrine function of the heart is affected also. The relationship of the plasma and nasal ANP may help to explain some rhinological abnormalities.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Middle Aged; Mucus; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Nose Diseases; Rhinitis