PIONEERING research being undertaken in the North East is not to be sniffed at as it could offer new solutions to a chronic nasal problem.

A team of scientists and surgeons from Newcastle University have discovered that a marine microbe could be the answer to dealing with the painful condition sinusitis.

Experts are using an enzyme isolated from a marine bacterium Bacillus licheniformis found on the surface of seaweed, which the scientists were originally researching for the purpose of cleaning the hulls of ships.

Some forms of sinusitis are caused by a bacteria which forms a biofilm and acts as a glue to hold the cells to the lining of the sinuses, acting as a barrier to sprays or antibiotics.

Scientists have now found that a marine enzyme, called NucB, dispersed 58% of biofilms and therefore could be used to help clear sinusitis.

Dr Nicholas Jakubovics of Newcastle University said: “In effect, the enzyme breaks down the extracellular DNA, which is acting like a glue to hold the cells to the surface of the sinuses. In the lab, NucB cleared over half of the organisms we tested.

“Sinusitis is a painful condition that affects 10% to 15% of the population. Symptoms are very uncomfortable and we can help those with the condition.

“Some patients have to undergo surgery to clear their sinuses and this takes approximately an hour in the operating theatre.

“If we can develop a treatment that can prevent the need for surgery, then this will in turn save money for the NHS.”

The research team collected mucous and sinus biopsy samples from 20 different patients and isolated between two and six different species of bacteria from each individual.

As many as 24 different strains were investigated in the laboratory and all produced biofilms containing significant amounts of extracellular DNA.

Biofilms formed by 14 strains were disrupted by treatment with the bacterial deoxyribonuclease, NucB.

The scientists are now looking to test their groundbreaking nasal spray and are currently in talks with drug manufacturers to undergo toxicology tests to assess the safety of the treatment.

“We are just in the preliminary stages, but we believe the treatment is safe and effective,” explained Dr Jakubovics.

Mohamed Reda Elbadawey, consultant of head and neck surgery at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, contacted the university after a student patient mentioned a lecture on the discovery of NucB. “While steroid nasal sprays and antibiotics can help some people,” he said, “for the patients I see, they have not been effective and these patients have to undergo the stress of surgery. If we can develop an alternative, we could benefit thousands of patients a year.” Chronic sinusitis is a common condition in which the cavities around nasal passages become inflamed and swollen.

The research by the Newcastle scientists and surgeons is published in the journal, PLOS ONE.

DENTAL BENEFITS

THE same enzyme discovered on seaweed has also been identified as helping in the fight against tooth decay.

The Newcastle University scientists discovered that seaweed could be used to destroy bacteria in plaque which can cause cavities.

Dr Jakubovics led that research too and insisted it could lead to better dental products offering more effective treatment.

When threatened, bacteria shield themselves in a slimy protective barrier known as a biofilm. The biofilm protects the bacteria from attack by brushing, chemicals or even antibiotics.

But after studying Bacillus licheniformis, the researchers found that when the bacteria want to move on, they release an enzyme which breaks down the external DNA. That breaks up the biofilm and releases the bacteria from the web.