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Published on: May 4, 2021
Acute effects of hypertonic saline inhalation on nitric oxide pulmonary diffusing capacity in healthy adults
S Karrasch1, T Radtke2, M Simon3
1Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Inner City Clinic, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany; Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
Abstract:
We investigated acute effects of inhalation of hypertonic saline solution (HSS) and oxygen (O2, control exposure) on pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO). In a randomized crossover study, 20 healthy, non-smoking subjects were allocated to short-term inhalation of HSS or O2. Spirometry [(forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] and combined single-breath DLNO-DLCO measurements were performed before and immediately after inhalation of either HSS or O2. Percent changes were presented as median values (interquartile range). After HSS inhalation, DLNO, FEV1 and FVC were decreased by -3.0% (-7.3, 0.5), -3.1% (-4.2, -1.6) and -1.2% (-3.3, 0.6), respectively (all P < 0.05), without significant effect on DLCO. No changes in spirometry and diffusing capacity were observed following O2 inhalation. Acute inhalation of HSS causes a slight decrease in membrane conductance, probably as a result of fluid imbalance at the alveolar surface and interstitial fluid accumulation, both of which could impair gas exchange.
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