Supersulfide formation in the sinus mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objectives: Disruption of the oxidative stress defense system is involved in developing various diseases. Sulfur compounds such as glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (CysSH) are representative antioxidants in the body. Recently, supersulfides, including reactive persulfide and polysulfide species, have gained attention as potent antioxidants regulating oxidative stress and redox signaling. However, their involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains unclear.
Methods: To clarify the changes in sulfur compounds within the sinus mucosa of each CRS subtype, we measured sulfur compound levels in the sinus mucosa of control individuals ( n  = 9), patients with eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) ( n  = 13), and those with non-ECRS (nECRS) ( n  = 11) who underwent sinus surgery using mass spectrometry.
Results: GSH and CysSH levels were significantly reduced, and the glutathione disulfide (GSSG)/GSH ratio, an oxidative stress indicator, was increased in patients with ECRS. Despite the absence of notable variations in supersulfides, patients with ECRS and nECRS exhibited a significant reduction in glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG), which serves as the precursor for supersulfides.
Conclusions: This study is the first quantitative assessment of supersulfides in normal and inflamed sinus mucosa, suggesting that sulfur compounds contribute to the pathogenesis of CRS.
Level of Evidence: N/A.
Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Triological Society.)