title: Flunisolide decreases exhaled nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels in asthmatic children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has been reported to be elevated in the oxidative stress involved in asthmatic patients, and the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with superoxide anions results in the formation of nitrotyrosine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of inhaled steroid treatment on nitrotyrosine levels collected by exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and on FeNO.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blind placebo-controlled study. The lung function, FeNO, and nitrotyrosine levels were evaluated in 10 asthmatic children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nitrotyrosine levels were stable during the placebo period (T0 = 1.16 ng/ml versus T1 = 1.05 ng/ml; NS.), whereas they decreased after the treatment with flunisolide (T2 = 1.14 ng/ml versus T3 = 0.88 ng/ml; P < .001). No significant reduction in FeNO levels was observed after placebo treatment (T0 = 38.4 ppb versus T1 = 34.7 ppb, NS.). In contrast, FeNO values decreased significantly being at T3 = 14.9 ppb (T1 versus T3; P = .024).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that corticosteroid treatment reduces nitrotyrosine levels in EBC of asthmatic subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bodini
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Peroni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zardini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corradi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alinovi
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Boner
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Piacentini
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; C007734:flunisolide