Bronchodilator S-nitrosothiol deficiency in asthmatic respiratory failure.
BACKGROUND
Nitric oxide (NO) gas concentrations are high in the expired air of individuals with asthma, but not consistently so in the expired air of people with pneumonia. S-nitrosothiols are naturally occurring bronchodilators, the concentrations of which are raised in the airways of patients with pneumonia. Airway S-nitrosothiols have not been studied in asthma.


METHODS
Tracheal S-nitrosothiol concentrations from eight asthmatic children in respiratory failure were compared with those of 21 children undergoing elective surgery.


RESULTS
Mean S-nitrosothiol concentrations in asthmatic children were lower than in normal children (65 [SD 45] nmol/L vs 502 [SD 429] nmol/L) and did not vary with inspired oxygen concentration or airway thiol concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe asthma is associated with low concentrations of airway S-nitrosothiols. This is the first reported deficiency of an endogenous bronchodilator in the human asthmatic airway lining fluid. We suggest that S-nitrosothiol metabolism may be a target for the development of new asthma therapies.
Gaston
B
B
Pulmonary Division, Department of Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA. bmg3g@virginia.edu
Sears
S
S
Woods
J
J
Hunt
J
J
Ponaman
M
M
McMahon
T
T
Stamler
J S
JS
D000208:Acute Disease; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D026403:S-Nitrosothiols; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism*
D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D026403:S-Nitrosothiols; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; C032635:S-nitrosomercaptoethanol