title: [Possible involvement of hexosaminidase in vocal polyps--preliminary report].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku, Klinika Otolaryngologii. ewaolsz@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olszewska
authors.forename: Bozena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kosztyła-Hojna
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borzym-Kluczyk
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rogowski
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rutkowska
authors.forename: Marlena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zukowska
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Waniewska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jakimowicz-Rudy
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sieśkiewicz
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D006596:Hexosaminidases