Elevated nitric oxide metabolite levels in chronic sinusitis

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2000-10, Vol.123 (4), p.357-362
• Main Authors: Schlosser, Rodney J., Spotnitz, William D., Peters, Edward J., Fang, Kezhong, Gaston, Benjamin, Gross, Charles W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Mucociliary Clearance; Nasal Mucosa - metabolism; Nasal Mucosa - microbiology; Nasal Mucosa - ultrastructure; Nitric Oxide - analysis; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Pneumococcal Infections - physiopathology; Rabbits; Reference Values; Severity of Illness Index; Sinusitis - metabolism; Sinusitis - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1067/mhn.2000.107405

Decreased exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is found in chronic sinusitis. NO metabolites (nitrates, nitrites, and S-nitrosothiols) were measured in sinus lavages with a rabbit model of chronic sinusitis. NO metabolite levels (mean ± SD) were 3.0 ± 1.6 μmol/L in uninfected rabbits, 10.7 ± 11.4 μmol/L in infected animals, and 7.6 ± 5.4 μmol/L in postantrostomy recovering animals. Infected sinuses had elevated levels of NO metabolites that were statistically significant ( P < 0.01) when compared with uninfected sinuses. Mucociliary transport velocity was measured in uninfected (16.0 ± 5.7 mm/minute), infected (5.2 ± 1.3 mm/minute), and recovery phases (3.0 mm/ minute). Endoscopic appearance, light and electron microscopy, and bacterial cultures improved during recovery. Elevated levels of NO metabolites were found during chronic sinusitis and began to return to normal levels during recovery. The possible link between NO in epithelial autotoxicity and host defense mechanisms warrants further investigation. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:357-62.)