Ulstructure And Expression Of INOS In Olfactory Mucosa Of Patients Suffering From Dysosmia Caused By Chronic Sinusitis And Nasal Polyp

Objective To observe the ultrastructure change of olfactory epithelium (OE) in patients suffering from dysosmia caused by chronic sinusitis and/or nasal polyp, And to study the expression and significance of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in olfactory mucosa of chronic sinusitis dysosmia.Methods Thirty patients with chronic sinusitis and/or nasal polyp were divided into two groups:group A(representing type 1 and type 2 phase 1) and group B(representing type 2 phase 2-3 and type 3).1. Transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure changes of each group.2. Expression of iNOS in olfactory mucosa in both groups wereprospectively studied with immunohistochemistry after olfactoryexamination. Tissue sections were observed under opticalmicroscope.Results 1. Observiation by transmission electron microscope:In group A ,the surface ultrastructure of. the OE showed some abnormal change: surface microvillus of the supporting cells disappeared, its organelles reduced .olfactory vesicle on olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) changed there shape , the olfactory cilia reduced or disappeared. Obvious ulstructure changes were not found in the basic cells and axon of ORNs . In group B , the epithelium structure showed turbidity , even double cell structure. The metachromatin of ORNs and supporting cells increased or showed karyopyknosis. As for the cytoplasm, there were the dilation of the ERs, "curgidity of the mitochondrion, the disarrangement, diminution of them. The euchromatin in basic cells increased, haperplasia was found.2. Observation by scanning electron microscope:The olfactory vesicle changed their shape , ORNs decreased , the olfactory cilia and the microvillus of the supporting cells disappeared, accord with the observation of transmission electron microscope.3. The iNOS positivity in olfactory mucosa and Bowman glandularcell of group A was significantly higher than of group B(P<0. 05). The expression of iNOS correlated with the degree of dysosmia(P<0. 05).conclusion 1. Chronic sinusitis and/or nasal polyp cause the ultrastructural changes of the OE. There is a positive relationship between the degree of the abnormal ultrastuctural changes and clinical typing and phasing.2. iNOS may contribute to dysosmia caused by chronic sinusitis, and correlate to its clinical typing and phasing.