[Value of nitrite in exhaled breath condensate in estimating the severity of asthma].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between nitrite levels in the exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and the severity of asthma.


METHODS
Sixty asthmatic patients with exacerbation (including 23 with mild, 21 with moderate, and 16 with severe asthma) and 23 healthy nonsmokers were enrolled in this study. The lung function tests were performed and nitrite levels measured in the EBC by the spectrophotometry and nitric oxide assay kit in these subjects. The percentage of eosinophils was also measured in induced sputum by Wright staining.


RESULTS
The concentrations of nitrites in the EBC and the percentage of eosinophils in induced sputum in the asthmatic patients were significantly higher than those of the healthy subjects (P<0.01), and showed positive correlations to the disease severity. A significant positive correlation was found between nitrites in the EBC and percentage of eosinophils in induced sputum (r=0.706, P<0.01). The concentration of exhaled nitrites was inversely correlated to MEF50% (r=-0.806, P<0.01) and FEV1% (r=-0.724, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Nitrite level in the EBC may serve as useful indicators for estimating the severity of asthma.
Wu
Cui-hua
CH
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nangfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. ivywucuihua@gmail.com
Cai
Shao-xi
SX
Zhao
Hai-jin
HJ
Song
Bing
B
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D009573:Nitrites