[Analysis of nasal and exhaled nitric oxide concentration in nasal polyposis].
Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory airway diseases. It has been identified as a potential marker of airway inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to assess the concentrations of nasal NO in upper and lower airways in nasal polyposis patients.


METHODS
18 nasal polyposis patients (14 men, 4 women) and 21 control subjects (7 men, 14 women), all non asthmatic non smokers, without respiratory infections were prospectively studied.


METHODS
They included nasal obstruction scoring, nasal endoscopic grading, allergy testing, nasal cytology, flow-volume spirometry and measurement of nasal (NNO) and exhaled NO (ENO) concentrations. NO was measured by a chemiluminescence NO Analyser (Sievers 280). NNO was analysed by aspiration with a constant flow of 3 l/mn. ENO was analysed during a slow expiration (50 ml/s) against a constant resistance of 10 cm H2O.


RESULTS
NNO was significantly (p<0,001) decreased in NP group (596.4 +/- 102.06 ppb) compared to control group (2 251.6 +/- 288.6 ppb). ENO was significantly (p<0.05) increased in NP group (45.4 +/- 14.1 ppb) compared to control group (11.2 +/- 1.16 ppb). NNO and ENO were not significantly different between atopic and non-atopic NP patients. NNO concentrations was inversely correlated with the values of nasal endoscopic grading. No correlation was found between NNO concentrations and respectively nasal obstruction scoring and eosinophil count in nasal mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are necessary to understand the pathophysiology of decreasing NNO and increasing ENO in nasal polyposis. In particular, ENO could be consider as a biologic marker of lower airway inflammation in nasal polyposis.
Gilain
L
L
Service d'ORL et de Chirurgie de la face et du cou, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, BP 69, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1.
Bedu
M
M
Jouaville
L
L
Guichard
C
C
Advenier
D
D
Mom
T
T
Laurent
S
S
Caillaud
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D009569:Nitric Oxide