Elevated nitric oxide metabolite levels in chronic sinusitis.
Decreased exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is found in chronic sinusitis. NO metabolites (nitrates, nitrites, and S-nitrosothiols) were measured in sinus lavages with a rabbit model of chronic sinusitis. NO metabolite levels (mean +/- SD) were 3.0+/-1.6 micromol/L in uninfected rabbits, 10.7+/-11.4 micromol/L in infected animals, and 7.6+/-5.4 micromol/L in postantrostomy recovering animals. Infected sinuses had elevated levels of NO metabolites that were statistically significant (P<0.01) when compared with uninfected sinuses. Mucociliary transport velocity was measured in uninfected (16.0+/-5.7 mm/minute), infected (5.2+/-1.3 mm/minute), and recovery phases (3.0 mm/minute). Endoscopic appearance, light and electron microscopy, and bacterial cultures improved during recovery. Elevated levels of NO metabolites were found during chronic sinusitis and began to return to normal levels during recovery. The possible link between NO in epithelial autotoxicity and host defense mechanisms warrants further investigation.
Schlosser
R J
RJ
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, USA.
Spotnitz
W D
WD
Peters
E J
EJ
Fang
K
K
Gaston
B
B
Gross
C W
CW
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide