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Nasal nitric oxide, the guardian of paranasal sinuses, is paradoxically increased by high doses of intravenous glucocorticoids
Author(s) -
Degano B.,
Têtu L.,
Serrano E.,
Didier A.,
Arnal J. F.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00880.x
Subject(s) - nostril , medicine , paranasal sinuses , nitric oxide , exhaled nitric oxide , nasal administration , anesthesia , nasal cavity , gastroenterology , nose , airway , surgery , immunology , bronchoconstriction
Background: High concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) originating from a type‐2 nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) located within the paranasal sinuses are measured in nasal air in man. NO is believed to play a central role in nonspecific defense of paranasal sinuses. Glucocorticoids (GCs), a therapeutic often used for a wide range of diseases, is known to strongly downregulate NOS2. Aims of the study: To investigate the effect of very high intravenous doses of GCs on nasal NO in man. Methods: Nasal NO was measured in 15 patients without any history of allergy or chronic airway disorder who were treated for 3 days with a daily dose of 1000 mg methylprednisolone for an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis. Nasal NO was also measured in 30 matched control subjects. Results: In control subjects, the maximal value of nasal NO [mean (SE)] was 233 (8) part per billion (ppb), and did not differ from patients with multiple sclerosis [maximum value: 219 (13) ppb; left nostril: 214 (12) ppb; right nostril: 215 (12) ppb]. After GCs treatment, nasal NO increased in patients [maximum value: 250 (13) ppb ( P < 0.0001); left nostril: 249 (12) ppb ( P < 0.0001); right nostril: 244 (13) ppb ( P < 0.0001)]. Conclusions: We conclude that GCs do not decrease but even increase nasal NO.