OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of human beta-defensin 1 and 2 (hBD-1 and hBD-2) in nasal mucosa before and after the endoscopic sinus surgery and investigate the effects of hBD-1 and hBD-2 on the healing process after the surgery.

METHODSThe patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis were divided into 3 groups according to the response to the surgery, namely cured group, response group and non-response group. With those from healthy control subjects as the control, nasal mucosa samples were collected from the patients at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery for detection of hBD-1 and hBD-2 mRNA and protein expressions by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTShBD-1 and hBD-2 were expressed in both normal and chronic sinusitis mucosa, but the expression levels varied significantly between the individuals. The expression levels of hBD-2 was significantly correlated to the patients' response to the surgical treatment (P<0.05). hBD-1 showed slight differences between the individuals, but was not associated with the patients' prognosis.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of hBD-2 mRNA and protein are significantly increased in patients with good response to endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis, suggesting the value of hBD-2 as an indicator of the patients' prognosis.