[Expression of prolactin in macrophage of nasal polyps and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression level and distribution of prolactin (PRL) in nasal polyp and to find out the significance of the mechanism of PRL in the invasion of nasal polyp. METHODS: Twenty-five polyp tissues were obtained from the patients who were subjected to nasal polypectomy in our Department. Inferior turbinate mucosa was used as control obtained from 12 patients with rhinogenous snoring. HE staining was performed for routine histopathologic examination. The expression of PRL in nasal polyps was observed by immunohistochemical staining, and six polyp tissues were estimated through double staining for determining cells which expressed PRL. RESULTS: (1) Positive expression of PRL was significantly stronger (t =4.004, P < 0.01) in 25 nasal polyp tissues (2.05 +/- 0.88) than that in 12 normal inferior turbinate mucosa (0.96 +/- 0.50). Positive expression of macrophage (CD68) was significantly stronger (t = 3.519, P < 0.01) in 25 nasal polyp tissues (1.85 +/- 0.83) than that in 12 normal inferior turbinate mucosa (0.93 +/- 0.52). (2) The PRL expressing cell mainly was the macrophage as demonstrated by double immunohistochemical method. CONCLUSION: PRL derived from macrophages of nasal mucosa may participate in the formation of nasal polyp through its local immune modulation.