Circulating nitric oxide [NO] in acute attacks of bronchial asthma

Thirty patients with bronchial asthma were included in this study. The airway reversibility in pulmonary function tests including forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1] and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] was more than 15% after the use of salbutamol inhaler. Venous blood levels of total nitrous oxide metabolites as serum nitrite and nitrate during and in-between acute asthmatic attacks were measured. ABGs were measured during and in-between asthmatic attacks. From the results obtained, it was concluded that the circulating nitric oxide level is suppressed in acute attacks of bronchial asthma, this is promptly reversible with the relief of the acute attacks