OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) alpha and beta in nasal polyps, and analyze the possible relationship between over-expression of GR beta and steroid insensitivity.

METHODSThe expression of GR alpha and GR beta was examined by immunohistochemical SP method in the specimens from 17 patients with recurring nasal polyp, 18 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp (CRSwNP), and 12 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) that did not recur during follow-up for 1.5 - 2 years.

RESULTSThe difference of numbers of GR alpha-positive cells (x +/- s) between groups with recurrent nasal polyp (20.2 +/- 6.9), CRSwNP (20.7 +/-7.2) , CRSsNP (16.9 +/- 7.2) and normal subjects (16.1 +/- 5.3) was not significant (P > 0.05). The numbers of GR beta-positive cells in recurring group (34.2 +/- 7.4) or CRSwNP (31.5 +/- 5.9) were higher than that in CRSsNP (19.8 +/- 7.8) and normal group (10.1 +/- 6.7) respectively (all P < 0.05). There was a trend toward higher level in recurring polyp compared with that of CRSwNP patients without recurrence in follow-up period, although this was not statistically different (P = 0.558). The difference of GR beta/GR alpha ratios (x +/- s) in recurring specimens (1.80 +/- 0.47) and CRSwNP group (1.65 +/- 0.49) was significant compared with normal group (0.77 +/- 0.66) respectively (P < 0.05), while there was no significance compared with CRSsNP (1.23 +/- 0.27, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe high expression of GR beta in nasal polyp is related to the development of nasal polyp.