Olfactory mucosa dysfunction Induced by oxidative nitrosative stress - Elucidation of olfactory mucosa secretory abnormalities in airway remodeling

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09615
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Dokkyo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Haruna Shinichi 獨協医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (60198934)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 金谷 洋明 獨協医科大学, 医学部, 非常勤講師 (40265301) ; 柏木 隆志 獨協医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (50622982)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 嗅覚障害 / 好酸球 / FeNO / 窒素化ストレス / ニトロチロシン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In asthma-associated eosinophilic sinusitis, unlike usual chronic sinusitis, eosinophilic lesions in the posterior sinuses and olfactory cleft are likely to develop early on and cause olfactory complaints. Histological examination of the respiratory and olfactory mucosa revealed significant eosinophilic infiltration and expression of nitrotyrosine (3-NT), a marker of nitrosative stress, in the posterior nasal mucosa. Therefore, it is thought that the influx of large amounts of NO from the lower respiratory tract mucosa into the posterior nasal cavity due to asthma pathology forms oxidative and nitrosative stress, induces eosinophilic inflammation in the nasal sinuses and olfactory mucosa, and leads to abnormal olfactory mucosa secretion.

Free Research Field

上気道好酸球炎症

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

喘息合併好酸球性副鼻腔炎では、上気道のみの治療でなく、喘息治療を十分に改善・維持させて、下気道リモデリングにより生じる過剰なガス状メディエーター、特に鼻副鼻腔へのNOの流入を減少させ、鼻副鼻腔と嗅粘膜の好酸球炎症を抑制させる。その結果、嗅覚障害を改善し好酸球性副鼻腔炎の難治化に対応できる。