Abstract
Introduction Nasal polyposis is a disease characterized by a mechanical dysfunction of the nasal
mucosa, closely related to the unique makeup of its extracellular matrix, which develops
as the result of an anomalous tissue remodeling process.
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is reduced not only in the nasal polypoid
tissue, but also in the plasma of aspirin-intolerant patients. These patients exhibit
an imbalance in the production of eicosanoids characterized by an increase in leukotrienes.
Thus, it is important that the relationship between the production of leukotrienes
and TGF-β1 be assessed.
Objective To evaluate the effects of the cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptor antagonist
montelukast on the systemic production of TGF-β1 in patients with nasal polyposis,
with or without concomitant aspirin intolerance.
Methods The sample comprised 48 individuals with diagnosis of nasal polyposis and 15 healthy
controls for comparison of the baseline TGF-β1 levels in the peripheral blood and
after treatment with CysLT receptor antagonist montelukast in the nasal-polyposis
group.
Results There was no difference in the change in TGF-β1 levels after the treatment with montelukast
in the subgroup of patients with polyposis and asthma (p = 0.82) and in the subgroup with polyposis, asthma, and aspirin intolerance (p = 0.51).
Conclusion we found no impact of the therapy with a leukotriene receptor blocker on the production
of TGF-β1, making the antileukotriene therapy a highly questionable choice for the
treatment of nasal polyposis, particularly from the standpoint of seeking to modify
the remodeling process in this disease.
Keywords
rhinosinusitis - airway - nasal polyposis - inflammation - allergy
