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Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide in man
C Borland1, Y Cox, T Higenbottam
1Department of Respiratory Physiology, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge.
Thorax
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Researchers can measure nitric oxide (NO) production in exhaled breath. This finding allows for non-invasive assessment of pulmonary endothelial function and nitric oxide release in humans.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Pulmonary endothelial cells release nitric oxide (NO), a key regulator of low pulmonary vascular resistance.
- Proximity of pulmonary arteries to airways suggests NO can diffuse into exhaled breath.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of measuring endogenous pulmonary nitric oxide production in human exhaled air.
- To establish a method for non-invasive assessment of NO release from the lungs.
Main Methods:
- Exhaled air samples collected during single full exhalations and tidal breathing.
- Analysis of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide concentrations using chemiluminescent and infrared analyzers.
- Study involved eight healthy human subjects.
Main Results:
- Nitric oxide concentrations in exhaled air did not correlate with laboratory air.
- Analysis of single breaths indicated NO originates from similar lung regions as carbon dioxide.
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) during tidal breathing ranged from 8.3 to 20.3 parts per billion.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous pulmonary nitric oxide production is measurable in human exhaled breath.
- This technique offers a non-invasive method to assess pulmonary NO levels.