Compared with the 1 h time point, the release of activin A, follistatin and TGF-β1 was significantly enhanced at 4 h (p<0.05) and 24 h (p<0.01) in CRSsNP and at 24 h (p<0.05) in CRSwNP. Here, FST is linked to chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps.