Nitrite plasma levels in chronic lung disease patients

Background. The authors carried out a study in a group of lung disease pati ents, about the behaviour of the plasmatic levels of nitrites (stable, spec ific and irreversible end-products of nitric oxide). Methods. The series consisted of 13 male patients (mean age 65+/-7 years) w ith chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with type 1 respiratory failure; 33 male subjects (mean age 58+/-5 years) without internistic disease were c onsidered as controls. For each subject the determination of nitrite plasma levels by the Gutman and Hollywood method based on the Griess colorimetric reaction was performed. Results. The mean value of the plasmatic nitrites was significantly reduced (p<0.05) as compared to the controls (11+/-0.48 mu mol/l vs 21+/-0.92 mu m ol/l). Conclusions, The authors hypothesized that in chronic lung disease patients there would be a condition of initial pulmonary hypertension; in this cond ition long-term endothelium-dependent nitric oxide production, aimed at the vasodilating effects with secondary excessive exhaled amount of NO, might cause a reduction in nitrite plasma levels. These levels may represent an e arly marker of pulmonary hypertension and suggest interesting therapeutic t reatments through inhalation of exogenous NO.