Investigation of the relationship between trefoil factor family peptides and sinonasal inflammation in an animal model

Inflammatory diseases of nasal and paranasal sinuses are frequently diagnosed diseases worldwide. Trefoil Factor Family is a relatively new protein family. Trefoil Factor Family peptides are proposed to be related to inflammatory diseases of nasal and paranasal sinuses in some studies. But the relationship between the inflammation of respiratory mucosa and Trefoil Factor Family peptides is not clear yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of TFF1, 2 and 3 in nasal mucosa and the relationship between inflammation and these peptides in rats by using various sinonasal inflammation models. Nasal packing, lipopolysaccharide and ovalbumin applications were used to constitute sinonasal inflammation models to create rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis in rats. There were 4 groups of rhinosinusitis, 2 groups of allergic rhinitis and a control group, ten rats in each. Sinonasal mucosa of all rats were underwent histological evaluation and immunohistochemical evaluation was used for trefoil factor family peptides. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed the presence of all three TFF peptides in rat nasal mucosa. There was not significant difference in TFF peptide scores between groups but TFF peptide scores were significantly correlated to cilia loss scores(p<0,05) In conclusion, a direct relationship between sinonasal inflammation and TFF scores was not demonstrated. But the significant correlation to cilia loss may indicate a relevance to epithelial damage or regeneration.