Bronchodilator S-nitrosothiol deficiency in asthmatic respiratory failure.
Published
Journal Article
BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) gas concentrations are high in the expired air of individuals with asthma, but not consistently so in the expired air of people with pneumonia. S-nitrosothiols are naturally occurring bronchodilators, the concentrations of which are raised in the airways of patients with pneumonia. Airway S-nitrosothiols have not been studied in asthma. METHODS: Tracheal S-nitrosothiol concentrations from eight asthmatic children in respiratory failure were compared with those of 21 children undergoing elective surgery. RESULTS: Mean S-nitrosothiol concentrations in asthmatic children were lower than in normal children (65 [SD 45] nmol/L vs 502 [SD 429] nmol/L) and did not vary with inspired oxygen concentration or airway thiol concentration. INTERPRETATION: Severe asthma is associated with low concentrations of airway S-nitrosothiols. This is the first reported deficiency of an endogenous bronchodilator in the human asthmatic airway lining fluid. We suggest that S-nitrosothiol metabolism may be a target for the development of new asthma therapies.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Gaston, B; Sears, S; Woods, J; Hunt, J; Ponaman, M; McMahon, T; Stamler, JS
Published Date
- May 2, 1998
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 351 / 9112
Start / End Page
- 1317 - 1319
PubMed ID
- 9643794
Pubmed Central ID
- 9643794
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0140-6736
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/S0140-6736(97)07485-0
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England