[Possible involvement of hexosaminidase in vocal polyps--preliminary report].
Vocal fold polyp is usually a result of the injury of the vocal cords. It often appears after vocal overuse or misuse causing trauma in vocal fold mid-membranous and wound formation. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to assess the activity of hexosaminidase in vocal fold polyps in the comparison to the control tissue.


METHODS
Vocal polyps (n=8) were collected from 8 patients during direct laryngoscopy. Specimens of normal vocal folds were obtained from 8 cadavers (n=8) served as controls. Specimens were immediately frozen in -80 degrees C. To assess hexosaminidase activity, release of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenol derivatives was used.


RESULTS
We observed statistical differences between the activity of investigated enzyme in all vocal folds specimens compared with that in normal tissue homogenates. However the activity of HEX achieved a low level. Mean release of HEX from the activated cells in vocal fold specimens was 1.073 nkat/g wet tissue compared with 0.766 nkat/g wet tissue in normal cadaveric vocal fold homogenates.


CONCLUSIONS
Low activity of HEX in vocal fold polyps suggests that inflammation may not be a primary factor in the development of the disease and other mechanism should likely be considered in the pathogenesis of vocal fold polyps.
Olszewska
Ewa
E
Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku, Klinika Otolaryngologii. ewaolsz@yahoo.com
Kosztyła-Hojna
Bozena
B
Borzym-Kluczyk
Małgorzata
M
Rogowski
Marek
M
Rutkowska
Justyna
J
Zukowska
Marlena
M
Waniewska
Edyta
E
Jakimowicz-Rudy
Joanna
J
Sieśkiewicz
Andrzej
A
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000201:enzymology*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000201:enzymology*
D006596:Hexosaminidases