Na/K-ATPase in rabbit paranasal sinus mucosa during induced sinusitis.

Sinusitis was produced in rabbits, after which animals were separated into three groups: allergic sinusitis, induced purulent sinusitis, and spontaneous purulent sinusitis. Mucosal specimens were taken from these animals and normal controls. Na/K-ATPase was localized cytochemically and its activity studied in order to define the energy metabolism of secretion. The Na/K-ATPase reaction was unable to be clearly distinguished in either the allergic sinusitis specimens or the normal mucosa. In both purulent sinusitis groups, an intensive reaction was observed in the subepithelial glands and a weak reaction was found in the goblet cells. The Na/K-ATPase activity in the purulent sinusitis groups was significantly higher than that in the normal control group. The increased Na/K-ATPase activity may be an affect of hyperactivity of the secretory cells.