Malondialdehyde level and adenosine deaminase activity in adenoid tissue of patients with OME and obstructive adenoid hypertrophy

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to determine and compare adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in adenoid tissue of patients with or without otitis media with effusion (OME).MethodsThe study included 30 patients undergoing adenoidectomy due to obstructive adenoid hypertrophy (OAH) or OME. Tissue MDA level was measured by the method of Okawa with modification and tissue ADA activity by the method of Giusti. We measured, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well.ResultsIn patients with OAH, mean tissue MDA level and ADA activity were 4.13 ± 0.90 nmol/mg Pr and 0.39 ± 0.04 U/mg Pr, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of OME group (1.43 ± 0.41 nmol/mg Protein and 0.22 ± 0.04 U/mg Pr, respectively) (P < 0.05). SOD and CAT activities were found to be increased in patients with OAH when compared to the OME group but they did not reach statistically significant level (P = 0.06 and 0.05 respectively).ConclusionsThe present study showed the presence of measurable ADA activity in adenoid tissue, and also significant increases in both tissue MDA level and ADA activity in OAH tissue when compared to adenoid tissue of the patient with OME. However, the significance of changes in MDA and ADA activation in the pathogenesis of OAH requires further study.