Effect of nasal antihistamine on secretory IgA in nasal lavage of rats.

The humoral IgA is an immunoglobulin which plays a defensive role for organisms on mucosal surfaces. Today, intranasal antihistamines are effectively used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. In our study, the effect of azelastine hydrochloride-a nasal antihistaminic-on humoral IgA of the nasal mucosa has been reviewed empirically. Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were included in our study. The rats were divided into three groups randomly. Group 1(azelastine hydrochloride): rats in this group had nasal azelastine hydrochloride (0.05%) applied for 30 days at 10 µl/nostril dosage. Group 2 (saline): saline (0.09%) was applied to the rats in this group for 30 days at 10 µl/nostril dosage. Group 3 (control): no application was made throughout the study. The chemicals applied in Groups 1 and 2 were applied to both nostrils by mounting a flexible micropipette to the end of an insulin injector. At the beginning of the study, nasal lavage was performed to both nostrils of the rats in every group on the 15th and 30th day to aspirate irrigation solution (distilled water). The aspirated liquids were kept at - 80° temperature and reviewed together at the end of study. Within-group comparisons: in Group 1 (azelastine hydrochloride), the humoral IgA value on the 15th day was significantly higher than the basal value (p = 0.037). There is a significant difference between humoral IgA value on the 30th day and humoral IgA value on the 15th day (p = 0.045). In Group 2 (saline), no significant difference is available between basal, 15th day and 30th day humoral IgA values (p = 0.265). In Group 3 (control), no significant difference is available between basal, 15th day and 30th day humoral IgA values (p = 0.374). Between-group comparison: there is no significant difference in between-group humoral IgA basal values (p = 0.714). On days 15 and 30, Humoral IgA value of Group 1 was significantly higher than that of Groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.013, p = 0.024, respectively). According to the results we achieved in our study, nasal antihistaminic (azelastine hydrochloride) significantly increases the level of humoral IgA. Our study is the first one in the literature to reveal a relation between nasal antihistaminic and humoral IgA and there is a further need for clinical, randomized and prospective studies.

Assessment of the effectiveness of cyclosporine nasal spray in an animal model of allergic rhinitis.

The aim of this study is to show if cyclosporine has an antiallergic role in a rat model of ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis. The 54 rats were divided into six equal groups. The first group was a negative control group without induced allergic rhinitis; the second group a positive control with induced allergic rhinitis not receiving treatment. The remaining four groups, after induction of allergic rhinitis, received intranasal cyclosporine treatment in doses of 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2% or nasal steroid treatment. In the biochemical examination, on the surface of the tissue tumor necrosis factor (TNF) interferon (IFN), interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, as well as IL-2, IL-4, IL-17A, and IgE were studied. Histologically, ciliary loss, increase of goblet cells, vascular congestion, and the degree of eosinophil infiltration were rated. In all treatment groups, on average, a significant reduction in all histological and biochemical values was found compared to the positive control group. Comparing each of the three cyclosporine-using groups with the group of nasal corticosteroid did not show any significant difference in the average scores. Cyclosporine nasal drops are effective to be used in an animal model of experimental allergic rhinitis without systemic effects.

Conchal contractility after inferior turbinate hypertrophy treatment:A prospective, randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of these two methods (Nasal corticosteroids (NCS) and radiofrequency (RF) application) on conchal contractility utilizing objective rhinologic measurement parameters. METHODS: 82 patients were presented with the complaint of nasal obstruction and diagnosed with inferior turbinate hypertrophy and were included in the study. Patients in Group 1 received NCS for 12weeks. Patients in Group 2 were administered RF to their inferior turbinates. Acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry tests with and without decongestant were performed. RESULTS: In the evaluation of the contractility difference of rhinometry parameters, there was not a significant difference among pre and postoperative acoustic rhinometric parameters in Group 1. Whereas in Group 2, postoperative contractility difference was significantly decreased compared to preoperative values. In the evaluation of the contractility difference of rhinomanometric parameters, no significant difference was found between pre and postoperative values in Group 1. However, postoperative contractility difference was significantly decreased compared to preoperative values in Group 2 in terms. CONCLUSION: Because the RF procedure produces fibrosis in the vascular tissues, inferior turbinates do not have a shrinking response to decongestant administration. Administration of NCS administration maintains the contractility function compared to RF application.

Curative Treatment of Oronasal Fistulas With a Silicone Obturator.

Oronasal fistulas can occur as a complication and sometimes they are refractory to the adequate surgical interventions. Two patients of oronasal fistula were presented. The first one developed as a complication of nasal septal surgery. Following 2 failed operative closure, a custom-made silicone obturator resulted unexpectedly as the cure for the problem in this patient. Experience gained from this patient was utilized in the second presented patient by simply insertion of a tailored silicone obturator after elevation of the nasal lining under local anesthesia to the oronasal fistula transorally allowed closure without any formal surgical intervention. Silicone obturator application may be employed for curative treatment of the oronasal fistulas avoiding complex surgical treatments.

Betahistine exacerbates amikacin ototoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Betahistine augments cochlear blood flow and is currently used as an efficient therapeutic agent. Amikacin is used in a wide range of areas, but its ototoxic effect continues to be problematic. This study investigates the effect of betahistine on amikacin-induced ototoxicity. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy rats were randomized to 4 groups of 8 rats in each group (amikacin, amikacin+betahistine, betahistine, and no treatment). Amikacin was administered intramuscularly to groups 1 and 2 for 14 days. Betahistine was delivered by oral gavage to groups 2 and 3 for 21 days. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests were conducted on all rats. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in the DPOAE levels and significant increases in the ABR thresholds of the amikacin and amikacin+betahistine groups on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days, as compared to their basal values. The DPOAE levels of the amikacin+betahistine group significantly decreased on days 7, 14, and 21, and the ABR thresholds significantly increased on the same days, as compared to the amikacin group. CONCLUSION: Our study implies that amikacin's ototoxic effects are augmented by the concurrent use of betahistine. Experimental and clinical research, supported by histopathological studies, is needed to affirm our findings.

Dynamometric Analysis of Normative Auricular Stiffness and Comparison With Operated Prominent Ears.

AIM: Stiffness of the auricular cartilage is the main determining factor for the choice of operative technique of the prominent ear deformity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stiffness of normal appearing ears objectively and quantitatively, compare the results with the operated prominent ear patients, and present prospective short-term dynamometric evaluation of the operated prominent ear patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 190 volunteers without ear deformities were recruited and 9 age groups were formed: group (5-9), group (10-14), group (15-19), group (20-24), group (25-29), group (30-34), group (35-39), group (40-49), and group (50+). Total 28 ears (14 patients) with otoplasty were included in the study as group (operated 5-9) and group (operated 10-14). In addition, 3 patients with prominent ear deformity were prospectively followed for dynamometric changes that occur with otoplasty operation. The auriculocephalic angle (ACA) was measured once and auricle to scalp distance was measured at 4 different standardized levels. Ear stiffness was measured on each ear individually at 4 different points over the antihelix using digital computer-aided dynamometry. Each ear was compared in terms of ACA, distance, and dynamometric values. FINDINGS: Dynamometric values tend to increase with age, which increase and peak around 35 years of age and declines after 40 years of age. Measurements of the first 2 age groups were statistically different compared with the other groups. Postoperative dynamometric measurements (DNM) of group (operated 5-9) were similar with normative values of group (5-9) and postoperative satisfaction visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 92.8%. Postoperative DNM of group (operated 10-14) were higher compared with normative values of group (10-14) for each different measuring level and the postoperative satisfaction VAS score was 75.3. A total of 3 patients with prominent ears had lower dynamometric values preoperatively; these values approached closer to normative values of their age group postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that auricular cartilage stiffens and malleability decreases with increased age. This stiffness peaks in the 35-39 age group and declines after 40 years of age. Dynamometric values increase, at all levels, suggesting increased cartilage stiffness is related to age. In the scope of these results, cartilage sparing techniques are more suitable for 5 to 14 years of age and cartilage-cutting techniques are more suitable for older patients.

Evaluation of the nasal contractility capacity in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to objectively compare nasal contractility in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients by means of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and peak inspiratory nasal flow. METHODS: Design: prospective, clinical case-controlled study. Setting: university tertiary-care hospital, referral center. Participants: the study included 97 participants divided into two groups: 49 postmenopausal (the study group) and 48 premenopausal (control) females. Nasal evaluations were made utilizing anterior rhinoscopy, peak inspiratory nasal flow, acoustic rhinometry, and anterior rhinomanometry. RESULTS: The differences between before and after decongestant application of Minimal Cross-sectional Area (MCA) 1, Minimal Cross-sectional Area (MCA) 2, Peak inspiratory nasal flow (PNIF), Rhinomanometry (RMM), Flow, and Volume values were been statistically significant in both postmenopausal and premenopausal group (control). CONCLUSION: Before and after all the subjects were administered nasal decongestant, nasal contractility was evaluated using objective nasal tests (acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and peak inspiratory nasal flow. Results showed that erectile tissues were not affected after menopause: postmenopausal women have the same nasal contractility capacity as premonopausal women.

Posterior plica perforation: rare complication of adenotonsillectomy.

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed by otolaryngologists. Some extraordinary complications of this surgery are massive bleeding, taste perception disorders due to glossopharyngeal nerve damage, hematoma of the mouth floor, jugular vein thrombosis, Grisel syndrome, cervical osteomyelitis, nasopharyngeal stenosis, pulmonary edema, infection, and lingual artery pseudoaneurysm. In this clinical report, an 8-year-old girl presented with a posterior plica perforation after adenotonsillectomy performed 1 week previously and this complication has led to velopharyngeal insufficiency. This rare complication may result from traumatic damage or excessive cauterization of the posterior plica.

Tension pneumocephalus: an extremely small defect leading to an extremely serious problem.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus is a pathology characterized by air influx into the intracranial region. It may occur after head trauma and rarely after endoscopic sinus surgery. As the amount of air increases, this can cause neurological disorders with a mass effect and this condition is called tension pneumocephalus. CASE DESCRIPTION: Our case is a 65-year-old woman. Tension pneumocephalus developed 12h after endoscopic sinus surgery performed for nasal polypectomy. Since tension pneumocephalus developed very rapidly in the patient creating a herniation table, the patient was taken to theater immediately. A burr-hole was drilled into the skull and a small defect in the ethmoid roof was closed with a layered closure technique. Post-operative conservative treatment was applied (bed rest, raising the bed head, meningitis prophylaxis, loop diuretics, abstaining from maneuvers increasing the Valsalva). DISCUSSION: In the literature, it is stated that, in the case of a small defect, spontaneous resolution may be provided with conservative treatment, but as the size of the defect increases, neurological effects will occur more quickly and be more obvious. In our case, a herniation table developed leading to neurological and vital problems in a more rapid and more obvious way than in other tension pneumocephalus cases developing after endoscopic sinus surgery. We consider that this situation is related to a very small defect size. CONCLUSION: Tension pneumocephalus is a complication rarely seen after endoscopic sinus surgery, but if it is not treated immediately, it may give rise to serious morbidity and mortality concerns. The clinical course developing after tension pneumocephalus may be very serious when very small defects are involved.

Otosclerosis and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism.

OBJECTIVE: The possible genetic relationship between otosclerosis and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism is uncertain. The aim of this study is to assess association between otosclerosis and VDR gene polymorphisms. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control Studies. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical diagnosis of stapes fixation was based on otoscopic, audiometric, tympanometric and surgical findings. We identified 25 eligible patient and 60 controls to investigate the association of the VDR gene polymorphisms FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and Taq I with otosclerosis. The patient and control DNA was genotyped for; VDR Bsm I (rs1544410), VDR Apa I (rs7975232), VDR Taq I (rs731236) and VDR Fok I (rs2228570) gene. Primer, simple probe sequences was genotyped by RT-PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant association between VDR gene and otosclerosis in polymorphism Taq I, Apa I and Bsm I. There was no significant association between VDR gene and otosclerosis in polymorphism Foq I. CONCLUSION: Three polymorphisms (Taq I, Apa I and Bsm I) in the VDR gene appear to be associated to susceptibility to otosclerosis disorder with otosclerosis patients.

Concha bullosa surgery and the distribution of human olfactory neuroepithelium.

In bullous middle turbinate surgery, controversy exists over which side of the bullous middle turbinate should be removed, as the distribution of human olfactory neuroepithelium is unclear. This study evaluated whether the middle turbinate tissue of patients undergoing endoscopic concha bullosa surgery contains functional olfactory epithelium. This prospective clinical study was conducted in tertiary referable center. It detected 70 conchae bullosa in 48 patients with sinonasal symptoms, who underwent paranasal computed tomography (CT) that showed pneumatization of the middle concha. All samples were obtained under general anesthesia. Three samples were obtained from each bullous middle turbinate: one each from the anterior, medial, and lateral portions. The mucosa from each sample was stained with olfactory marker protein (OMP). In total, 210 middle turbinate samples were taken from 48 patients during endoscopic surgery for conchae bullosa. The patients were 22 females and 26 males. Of the 70 conchae bullosa, OMP-stained nerve tissue was found in the lateral, anterior and medial aspects of 57 (81.4 %), 42 (60.0 %) and 23 (32.8 %) of the bullous middle turbinates, respectively. OMP-stained nerve tissue was found in 122 (58.1 %) of the 210 bullous middle turbinate tissue samples. OMP-stained nerve tissue was found on the lateral surface of the bullous middle turbinate more often than the medial surface. Therefore, during the concha bullosa surgery, OMP-stained nerve tissue found at least in the medial part of concha, suggested that the opening of the medial part of middle concha.

Severe saddle nose: choices for augmentation and application of accordion technique against warping.

BACKGROUND: Saddle nose deformity presents a significant challenge to surgeons. The reconstruction of a saddle nose requires structural addition to the nasal dorsum and tip. Costal cartilage grafts have been utilized for fixing severe saddle nose deformity, but costal cartilage is notorious for early and/or late warping. In addition to well-known measures, the efficacy of a preventive surgical technique against warping was investigated in this study. METHODS: Costal cartilage grafts were used in 18 patients with severe saddle noses. Due to recurrent and late warping of the grafts, an additional measure was taken in 23 patients with a comparable deformity. In these 23 patients, just before insertion the costal cartilage was transected on 75 % of its horizontal width every 2 mm, alternating between both sides along the entire length of the implant, a so-called "accordion technique." RESULTS: With traditional measures early and/or late warping of the graft was observed in 7 (39 %) of 18 patients postoperatively. Two grafts warped so severely that they required revision surgery. On the other hand, additional use of the accordion technique prevented the costal cartilage from warping in all 23 cases. The warping complication rate was significantly higher in patients whose graft did not undergo the described accordion technique. CONCLUSIONS: The accordion technique is thought to break the recoil mechanism responsible for warping. Since incorporating this surgical technique, warping has not been seen in any saddle nose deformity patients treated by us in the last 5 years. This simple technique is strongly recommended in these cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Effectiveness of pediatric nasal irrigation solution with or without xylitol.

OBJECTIVES: /Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and outcome of daily hypertonic saline irrigation versus saline/xylitol for treating pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five children diagnosed with CRS were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized to twice-daily hypertonic irrigations with saline or saline/xylitol for 6 weeks. The treatment outcomes were measured using: Sinonasal Quality of Life Survey (SN-5) completed at baseline and after 6 weeks of irrigation. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in the hypertonic nasal saline group's (reduction in SN-5 domain scores) four domains and an increase in the overall QoL score within each group after 6 weeks of treatment compared to baseline; however, there were no differences in the activity limitation (p = 0.1803). The xylitol solution groups had no differences between the two groups in the SN-5 scores in any of the domains or the overall score at baseline, and post irrigation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Due to low tolerance, compliance, and the side effects, xylitol irrigation is not recommended as a first-line treatment for pediatric CRS. The use of a large volume of low pressure, twice-daily intranasal hypertonic irrigation for 6 weeks is safe and effective in the treatment of pediatric CRS; therefore, it can be used as a baseline treatment for pediatric CRS before considering surgical interventions.

Effect of mitomycin C on endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the study were to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (END-DCR) and compare it with external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR). METHODS: For the comfort of the patients, the procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Intraoperatively during the END-DCR, we applied a cotton pledget soaked in a 0.5 mg/mL solution of MMC for 2.5 minutes. In each patient, a silicone tube was placed into the nasal cavity via the superior and inferior punctae and fixed in the vestibule. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent END-DCR and EXT-DCR. RESULTS: A retrospective review was performed on the medical records of 43 patients (with a total of 49 affected cases) who were admitted to our clinics with a primary complaint of epiphora. The overall success rates were 91% in END-DCR+MMC and 71.5% in EXT-DCR. CONCLUSIONS: Mitomycin C, in appropriate doses, minimizes postoperative granulations and fibrosis. Adjunctive use of MMC is considered to increase the success rate of END-DCR.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we evaluated the relationship between peripheral blood high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels with allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 100 patients who were divided into four groups each 25 patients; as follows: allergic rhinitis (group 1), CRS with nasal polyps (group 2), CRS without nasal polyps (group 3), and controls (group 4) who were non-smokers. All patients underwent a detailed symptom enquiry, physical examination, and investigations including a complete blood count and radiograph of the paranasal sinuses. The hs-CRP was measured in all the patients by a semi quantitative assay using the latex enhanced immunonephelometric test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of hs-CRP between the group 1, group 2, and group 3 by the control group respectively (p=0.861, p=0.7196, and p=0.127). CONCLUSION: Allergic rhinitis, CRS with nasal polyps and CRS without nasal polyp groups compared with the control group were statistically not significant differences in the hs-CRP levels with peripheral blood.

Primary nasal tuberculosis: a case report.

Tuberculosis can involve virtually any organ and it manifests itself in various forms. When tuberculosis is as widespread as it is currently in this paper. Primary nasal tuberculosis is a rare disease. The clinicians fail to diagnose its symptoms as primary nasal tuberculosis and therefore its diagnosis and treatment is often delayed. We aim to present in the light of relevant literature the case of a 60-year-old woman with epistaxis and crusting who was admitted to a clinic. A biopsy of the marginal tissue was performed. The diagnosis was based on histopathology and successful response to antituberculous drug treatment. The basic principles that the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and extra-pulmonary forms of the disease to elucidate the clinical characteristics of nasal tuberculosis and to discuss its diagnostic difficulties.

[Distortion product otoacoustic emissions results in children with middle ear effusion]. / Seröz otitis mediali çocuklarda distorsiyon ürünü otoakustik emisyon sonuçlari.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) results in children with middle-ear effusion before and after ventilation tube insertion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted between the September 2007 and May 2008 at the Otolaryngology Clinic diagnosed with middle-ear effusion. A prospective study was carried out 30 patient (18 males, 12 females; mean age 8.6 years; range 6 to 15 years) and a total of 41 ears with middle-ear effusion. A total of 30 ears of 15 volunteers healthy control group (8 males, 7 females; mean age 7.8 years; range 5 to 15) included in the study. All children listed for appropriate surgery had a pre- and postoperative (four week after) tympanometry, pure tone audiometry and DPOAE recorded. A comparison was made between control group DPOAE value and pre- and postoperative DPOAE value of patient. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 41 ears had an abnormal tympanometry of which 80% had absent DPOAE. After four week all postoperative patients with surgery had 92.6% a normal DPOAE. Control group of 29/30 ears had a normal (96.7%) DPOAE. CONCLUSION: Patients with otitis media with effusion measured preoperative DPOAE, postoperative after one month all patients with grommets had a more DPOAE value comparison with preoperative, but less for control group.

[Patterns of cervical metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck]. / Bas ve boyun yassi epitel hücreli kanserlerinde boyun yayilim modelleri.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the existence, distribution and characteristics of cervical lymph nodes metastases in patients with laryngeal, hypopharyngeal and intraoral squamous cell cancer were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the charts of 81 laryngeal, hypopharyngeal and intraoral cancer patients (10 females, 71 males; mean age 55.9 years; range 30 and 81 years) surgically treated and followed up in Haseki Training and Research Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic between January 2004 and October 2007 was evaluated. The demographic data of the patients, tumor localization sites, surgical techniques, TNM stages and regional neck metastases were evaluated. RESULTS: In laryngeal cancer patients, metastatic lymph nodes were found in 36 of 83 (43%) neck specimens. Patients with intraoral tumors had metastases in six (36.4%) of 20 neck specimens. In hypopharynx tumor patients in six of seven (85.7%) showed metastasis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that elective neck treatment in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancers, should include neck levels I, II, III, IV and V. Upper aerodigestive system squamous cell cancers have specific patterns of invasion in cervical region. According to the localization of the primary tumor, high risk sites of metastases were detected. Selective neck dissections were planned according to these invasion patterns of tumors.

[Assessment of internal jugular vein flow and patency with power duplex Doppler ultrasonography after functional neck dissection]. / Internal juguler ven akimi ve devamliliginin fonksiyonel boyun diseksiyonu sonrasinda power dubleks Doppler ultrasonografi ile degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the patency of the internal jugular vein after functional neck dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients (6 females, 19 males; mean age 53.9 years; range 30 to 71 years) who were operated on because of larynx, hypopharynx and intraoral cavity tumors in the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of Haseki Training and Research Hospital between January 2001 and March 2003 were included in the study. Internal jugular veins were evaluated after 42 functional neck dissections. By means of power duplex Doppler ultrasonography, the jugular blood flow, presence or absence of a thrombus, diameter of the vein, velocity of the blood flow were evaluated. RESULTS: In our study the internal jugular vein patency rate was found to be 95.2%, and thrombosis was detected only in two patients. Blood flow velocity in patients with thrombus was found to be significantly lower than that observed in patients without thrombus (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was observed that blood flow of the internal jugular vein was ensured in most patients after functional neck dissection.

Advanced oxidation protein products as an oxidative stress marker in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the levels of dityrosine-containing protein cross-link products, also known as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP); in patients with allergic rhinitis with those in healthy individuals considering the fact that AOPP has the potential to be a marker of oxidative stress specific to proteins in mammalian systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 40 patients (18 males, 22 females; mean age 29 years; range 10 to 53 years) with allergic rhinitis admitted to our clinic between December 2008 and January 2009 and on 40 healthy volunteers (16 males, 24 females; mean age 31 years; range 13 to 48 years). Skin prick test was performed to establish a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in patients with major symptoms and allergic sensitization was also supported with serum IgE levels. Blood samples were obtained and examined in all patients to determine AOPP. RESULTS: Serum AOPP levels were significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis (169.0+/-14.2 micromol/L) compared to controls (43.9+/-3.5 micromol/L; p<0.001). In addition, mean serum IgE levels of patients with allergic rhinitis (308.2+/-38.5 IU/ml) were found to support the presence of allergic sensitization. CONCLUSION: Determining the levels of serum AOPP, a well-known marker of protein oxidation, appears to be a useful method in determining the role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.