[Role of nitric oxide in airway mucociliary dysfunction in diffuse panbronchiolitis].
Nitric oxide (NO) stimulates the ciliary motility of the airway epithelium, thereby assisting in the regulation of mucociliary transport in the respiratory tract. In the present study, to elucidate a possible involvement of NO in mucociliary disturbance in diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), we measured nasal clearance time (NCT) using the saccharin test, NO concentration in the exhaled air with a chemiluminescence analyzer, and electrolyte concentration in the sputum. Compared with healthy nonsmokers and smokers, patients with DPB showed a lower NO concentration in the exhaled air (p < 0.05), prolonged NCT (p < 0.01), and a higher Cl concentration in the sputum (p < 0.05). Among these variables, exhaled NO concentration was negatively correlated with NCT (p < 0.01) and sputum Cl concentration (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the inhibition of NO generation associated with an elevated Cl concentration in the airway surface liquid may contribute to airway mucociliary dysfunction in DPB.
Taira
M
M
First Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tamaoki
J
J
Nakata
J
J
Kondo
M
M
Takemura
H
H
Nagai
A
A
D001944:Breath Tests; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002713:Chlorine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002713:Chlorine