Siniša Stevanović1, Radivoje Radić2, Željka Perić Kačarević2, Vladimir Bedeković3, Ivana Aras4, Tomislav Baudoin3, Dario Šoš5, Zvonimir Vrselja2, Mirko Ivkić3. 1. (Medical Faculty Osijek), Clinical Hospital "Sisters of Mercy" Zagreb (ENT Dept), Vinogradska 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: stevanovic.sin@gmail.com. 2. Medical Faculty Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 10/E, 31000 Osijek, Croatia. 3. Clinical Hospital "Sisters of Mercy" Zagreb, Vinogradska 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine University of Zagreb. 4. SUVAG Polyclinic Zagreb, Lj. Posavskog 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. 5. Clinical Hospital Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to investigate and to identify the existence of proton pump in different parts of larynx. The presence of acidic content in this area is known to be connected to several laryngeal diseases. It is mostly developed by upward recurrence of acidic gastric content, but there are some signs that the acid can be produced in the larynx as well, because of the proton pump activity in laryngeal mucosa. METHODS: The study was performed on two types of specimens: (1) 50 cadaver larynges and (2) 11 surgical larynges obtained after laryngectomy. Samples were taken from supraglottis, glottis and subglottic areas and immunohistochemistry for the beta subunit of the proton pump was done. RESULTS: The presence of proton pump was proved in seromucous glands in laryngeal supraglottic area, but it was also, for the first time, found in human chondrocytes in the thyroid and epiglottic cartilage. CONCLUSION: These new findings could encourage further research that would illuminate better the etiopathogenesis not only of laryngopharyngeal reflux, but also the pathophysiology of cartilaginous disorders.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to investigate and to identify the existence of proton pump in different parts of larynx. The presence of acidic content in this area is known to be connected to several laryngeal diseases. It is mostly developed by upward recurrence of acidic gastric content, but there are some signs that the acid can be produced in the larynx as well, because of the proton pump activity in laryngeal mucosa. METHODS: The study was performed on two types of specimens: (1) 50 cadaver larynges and (2) 11 surgical larynges obtained after laryngectomy. Samples were taken from supraglottis, glottis and subglottic areas and immunohistochemistry for the beta subunit of the proton pump was done. RESULTS: The presence of proton pump was proved in seromucous glands in laryngeal supraglottic area, but it was also, for the first time, found in human chondrocytes in the thyroid and epiglottic cartilage. CONCLUSION: These new findings could encourage further research that would illuminate better the etiopathogenesis not only of laryngopharyngeal reflux, but also the pathophysiology of cartilaginous disorders.