The Source of Lactic Acid in Experimental Sinusitis

Abstract

Increased levels of L-lactate were found in secretions of the maxillary sinus in experimental sinusitis in rabbits. Analysis of certain epithelial metabolic enzymes in purulent sinusitis reveals an increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in glands and epithelium. However, histochemically we could not find any decrease in oxidative enzyme capacity of the mucosal epithelium indicating an inadequate oxygen supply. In acute pneumococcal sinusitis, bacteria seem to resume a resting phase after a few days, and the lactate accumulation characteristic of the anaerobic milieu of the secretion appears to be mainly of leukocyte origin.