Reduction in exhaled nitric oxide immediately after methacholine challenge in asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
The measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) has recently been proposed as a useful technique for the evaluation of airway inflammation in asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of methacholine bronchial provocation on the levels of exhaled NO in asthmatic children.


METHODS
Exhaled NO was measurement immediately before and after methacholine provocation in 51 children with mild to moderate asthma.


RESULTS
A significant decrease occurred in the level of exhaled NO (p<0.0001) after methacholine bronchial provocation which was not correlated with the percentage fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)).


CONCLUSIONS
The methacholine test should not be used immediately before measurement of exhaled NO in children with asthma.
Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Verona, Italy.
G L
GL
Piacentini
A
A
Bodini
D G
DG
Peroni
M
M
Miraglia del Giudice
S
S
Costella
A L
AL
Boner
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002648:Child; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D009569:Nitric Oxide