Exhaled nitric oxide is associated with allergic inflammation in children.
Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) has been proposed as a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation in asthma. In asthmatic patients, exhaled NO levels have been shown to relate with other markers of eosinophilic recruitment, which are detected in blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and bronchial biopsy samples. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible relationship between eNO and allergic inflammation or sensitization in childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis. Subjects consisted of 118 asthmatic children, 79 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 74 controls. Their age ranged from 6 to 15 yr old. eNO level, peripheral blood eosinophil count, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), serum total IgE level and specific IgE levels were measured. Methacholine challenge test and allergic skin prick test for common allergens were performed in all subjects. Atopic group (n = 206, 44.48 ± 30.45 ppb) had higher eNO values than non-atopic group (n = 65, 20.54 ± 16.57 ppb, P < 0.001). eNO level was significantly higher in patients with asthma (42.84 ± 31.92 ppb) and in those with allergic rhinitis (43.59 ± 29.84 ppb) than in healthy controls (27.01 ± 21.34 ppb, P < 0.001) but there was no difference between asthma and allergic rhinitis group. eNO also had significant positive correlations with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus IgE level (r = 0.348, P < 0.001), Dermatophagoides farinae IgE level (r = 0.376, P < 0.001), and the number of positive allergens in skin prick test (r = 0.329, P = 0.001). eNO had significant positive correlations with peripheral blood eosinophil count (r = 0.356, P < 0.001), serum total IgE level (r = 0.221, P < 0.001), and ECP (r = 0.436, P < 0.001). This study reveals that eNO level is associated with allergic inflammation and the degree of allergic sensitization.
Department of Pediatrics, Good Gangan Hospital, Busan, Korea.
Bong Seok
BS
Choi
Kyung Won
KW
Kim
Yong Ju
YJ
Lee
Jiyoung
J
Baek
Hyun Bin
HB
Park
Yoon Hee
YH
Kim
Myung Hyun
MH
Sohn
Kyu-Earn
KE
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001944:Breath Tests; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004804:Eosinophils; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein