Does a connection exist between inflammation and proliferation in the upper airways?

Inflammatory alterations of the lower airways can cause an increase in prol iferative and malignant processes. It was our objective to clarify whether a similar connection exists in the upper airways. Therefore, a cross-sectio n investigation of 16 patients with chronic rhinitis (7 allergic, 9 non-all ergic), 10 patients with nasal polyps (3 allergic, 7 non-allergic), and 27 healthy controls was performed. First, measurements were taken to determine in which groups an increase of inflammation markers in nasal secretions ex ists (total cell number, cell distribution, soluble tumor necrosis factor 7 5, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule I) . Second, the concentrations of the proliferation markers epidermal growth factor and soluble epidermal growth factor receptor were determined. The re sults were analyzed by means of a multiple regression analysis. In both pat ient groups, significantly increased concentrations of s-TNFr-75, IL-6, IL- 8 and albumin (p < 0.05) were found. A significantly increased total cell, eosinophil, lymphocyte or neutrophil count was found in at least one patien t group (p < 0.05). EGF- and s-EGFr concentrations did not differ statistic ally significant between the control and patient groups. A clear correlatio n between markers for inflammation and proliferation was not proven, possib ly due to a higher decomposition of the EGF-EGFr complex in the case of an increased release of EGF.