A new model of laryngitis: neuropeptide, cyclooxygenase, and cytokine profile

Objectives/Hypothesis: To develop and characterize a new model of laryngeal inflammation by analyzing the presence of neurogenic peptides and expression of cyclooxygenases (COX) and cytokines in the mucosa.Study Design: Laryngitis induced by nasogastric intubation (NGI) was evaluated by histopathologic changes of the mucosa, alterations in calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) neuropeptides in sensory fibers, and COX-1,2, and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) expression in the laryngeal mucosa.Methods: Rats submitted to NGI for 1 to 5 weeks were compared with controls. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for stereologic analysis of SP and CGRP fiber density and number of mucosal cells expressing COX-2. Alterations in inflammatory mediators were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Results: NGI induced metaplasia of the epithelium and narrowing of the laryngeal lumen because of hypertrophy of laryngeal glandules and edema. An initial decrease in CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive fibers in the laryngeal mucosa (1-3 wk) was reverted with time (5 wk). COX-2 expression in mucosal cells increased progressively, reaching a maximum level at 5 weeks, and was observed in mononuclear immune cells, which is indicative of a chronic inflammatory process. In regard to mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, TNF-alpha was increased during the 5 week NGI, and IL-10 decreased during the 5 weeks,whereas IL-beta, IL-6, and COX-2 increased in the first 1 to 2 weeks and returned to baseline at 5 weeks.Conclusions: This NGI model results in laryngeal chronic inflammation without direct mechanical aggression of the mucosa and may contribute to the study of future therapeutic approaches to this pathology.FEDERFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTI/NSE/46399/2002Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian - projecto nº 7455