[Erythromycin effects on apoptosis of epithelial cell in nasal polyps].

Objective: To study the effect of erythromycin on apoptosis in epithelial cell and investigate the significance of epithelial cell apoptosis in nasal polyps forming.

Method: Epithelial cell collected from thirty nasal polyps and six inferior turbinates were cultured in Dulbecco Eagle and Ham F12 (1:1) and divided into two groups, one cultured with Erythromycin(Erythromycin group), another cultured without Erythromycin (control group). Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling.

Result: The AI (apoptosis index) of epithelial cell in nasal polyps after cultured for 1,3,5 days with erythromycin were respectively (33.23 +/- 6.50)%, (38.21 +/- 7.22)% and (52.63 +/- 7.86)%. The AI of epithelial cell in inferior turbinates were respectively (31.02 +/- 5.60)%, (32.13 +/- 7.15)% and (39.64 +/- 7.48)%. There were significant difference between two groups at 5 day after culture (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Erythromycin promoted apoptosis of epithelial cell in nasal polyps.