title: Serum interleukin-16 levels in patients with nasal polyposis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several inflammatory and allergic disorders have been reported to correlate with interleukin-16 (IL-16). IL-16 is a highly potent chemotactic and chemoattractant molecule for eosinophils. Nasal polyposis (NP) has an inflammatory basis, and eosinophilia is a common finding in polyp tissue. In this study, we aimed to determine serum IL-16 levels in NP patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective controlled study in a tertiary academic hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood samples were obtained and used for serologic studies with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits to determine IL-16 levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study and the control groups consisted of 17 and 10 patients, respectively. Mean serum IL-16 levels were significantly higher in the study group when compared to the control group (447.9 pg/mL vs. 260.2 pg/mL) (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum IL-16 levels are significantly elevated in NP patients. This finding may represent identification of a valuable serum biomarker and potential therapeutic target in NP patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keseroğlu
authors.forename: Erden
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Banoğlu
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kizil
authors.forename: Utku
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aydil
authors.forename: Ipek Işil
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Gönül
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ceylan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019410:Interleukin-16