Abstract
Free radicals play an important role in nasal and paranasal diseases. The formation of free radicals in these diseases is similar to other tissues.
In many cases antioxidants can ameliorate the course of the disease. Inflammations such as rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, acute and chronic tonsillitis or inflammations evoked by cigarette smoke are common nasal and paranasal diseases associated with free radicals.
Nitric oxide, as a free radical, has been shown to effect vasodilatation, patency of the nose, secretion of saliva, immunological properties, cytokine stimulation, and wound healing. Nasal and paranasal diseases often influence the composition of saliva; this characteristic can be used to make a diagnosis or better manage patient therapy.
Polyps and tumors are affected by free radicals as well, but antioxidant therapy of tumors, especially in advanced cases, may be not suitable.