INCREASED NITRIC-OXIDE IN EXHALED AIR IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS

Objective To assess the lung production of nitric oxide (NO) in patien ts with systemic sclerosis. Methods The concentration and its rate of production by the lungs were measured in the exhaled air in 14 patient s with systemic sclerosis and in 12 healthy control subjects using the chemiluminescent method. Results The NO concentration and its rate of production were significantly increased in scleroderma patients (mean +/- SEM, 18.7 +/- 1.7 ppb and 5.8 +/- 0.5 nmol/min, respectively), as compared with control subjects (11.2 +/- 0.8 ppb and 4.3 +/- 0.4 nmol /min, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion The pulmonary p roduction of NO is increased in scleroderma patients, which might refl ect and contribute to the inflammatory processes of the lungs in syste mic sclerosis.