Measurement of nitric oxide, nitrite and nitrate using a chemiluminescenceassay: an update for the year 2000

This review deals with the measurement of nitric oxide (NO) using the chemi luminescence assay, A preliminary discussion is offered to explain the chem ical basis for this assay and emphasize the importance of measuring NO, Aft er reviewing some practical aspects and caveats of the chemiluminescence as say, we review its application in a variety of research and clinical settin gs, such as measurement of breath NO and serum nitrates. The importance of avoiding confounding effects of dietary nitrates when assessing the NO syst em in humans is discussed and new data are provided on the confounding effe cts of atmospheric NO on measurement of breath NO. The utility and ease of the chemiluminescence assay for these applications is contrasted with the c hallenge of using chemiluminescence for correlation of vascular tone and NO production, studies in which real-time measurements are required. Although the chemiluminescence assay is one of the most reliable, rapid and reprodu cible assays available, it is optimal for gas phase measurements and may be suboptimal for measurement under certain circumstances, This chapter compl ements several more general reviews of the methodology for measuring NO.