[Study on the role of interleukin-5 and eosinophil cationic protein and the correlation between them in nasal polyp].

Objective: To evaluate the degree of recruitment and activation of eosinophils; to confirm the concentration and expression of IL-5 in nasal polyps; to study the correlation between eosinophilic activation and cytokine such as IL-5.
Method: Blood and nasal specimens were collected from 30 patients with nasal polyps and 8 controls with deviation of nasal septum or OSAS. The serum ECP levels in two groups and the IL-5 and ECP in nasal polyp specimens or inferior turbinate mucosa were examined.
Result: Concentration of IL-5 and ECP in nasal polyps tissue homogenates were significantly higher than those in inferior turbinate mucosas (P < 0.05). The same result was showed in serum ECP. The elevated IL-5 levels in polyp homogenates had a significant correlation with serum ECP(r = 0.598, P < 0.05) and polyp tissues ECP(r = 0.451, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The concentration of IL-5 increased in the nasal polyp tissues and the degree of expression showed a significant correlation with activated eosinophils.