[Measurement of components of the phospholipid of the surfactant in irrigating fluid from the nasopharynx of patients with chronic sinusitis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of chronic sinusitis on components of the phospholipid of nasopharyngeal surfactant, and to study biochemical component of phospholipid of surface active substance.

Method: The concentrations of surfactant in nasopharyngeal irrigating fluid were implemented in normal controls and patients with chronic sinusitis. Components of phospholipid such as Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingophospholipid were measured by the high-performance liquid chromatograph.

Result: Results showed as follows (1) There was surfactant in nasopharynx. 4 compositions of phospholipid could be measured. (2) Compared with controls, Phosphatidylserine signficantly decreased in patients with chronic sinusitis (P < 0.05). (3) Only Phosphatidylserine signficantly decreased between sinusitis III stages and controls (P < 0.05). The rests had no signficant difference between chronic sinusitis' stages and controls, and among stages. But as the chronic sinusitis' stages proceeded, proportion of Phosphatidylserine may decreased.

Conclusion: (1) There is surfactant in nasopharynx, nasopharyngeal surfactant is made of Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingophospholipid. The proportion of Phosphatidylcholine shows most, and determines biochemical effect of nasopharyngeal surfactant. (2) chronic sinusitis may cause decrease of some components of nasopharyngeal surfactant. (3) As the chronic sinusitis' stages proceed, the proportion of some phospholipids progressively decrease. Which, above assessed, may cause the change of surfactant in eustachian tube, and cause dysfunction of middle ear and eustachian tube.