[Examination of serum nitric oxide in Yusho patients]

In order to evaluate the influence of oxidative stress by PCB, we measured serum nitric oxide (NO) in Yusho patients by the Griess method, which detected nitrite (NO2-) formed by the oxidization of NO. Serum NO2- concentrations were significantly increased in Yusho patients as compared to healthy controls, but no correlation was detected between serum NO2- concentration and PCB or PCQ level in Yusho patients. The relationship was analyzed between serum NO2- concentration and certain parameters such as clinical symptoms, habits and clinical data. Serum NO2- level had a positive correlation with CPK in male patients, but not in female and all Yusho patients. Furthermore, no mutual relation was detected between serum NO2- concentration and the other parameters such as blood pressure, smoking and each laboratory data. Therefore, the possibility is considered that Yusho is one of the diseases which show the increase of serum NO.