Nasal contribution to exhaled nitric oxide at rest and during breathholding in humans

Brent Kimberly, Bijan Nejadnik, George D. Giraud, William E. Holden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

We characterized the nasal contribution to exhaled nitric oxide (NO) at rest and during breathholding in humans. Exhaled NO was greater during nose breathing (141 ± 17 nl/min/M2, mean ± SEM) compared with mouth breathing (68 ± 6 nl/min/M2, n = 8, p < 0.001). After voluntary closure of the soft palate (VCSP) to eliminate nasal NO, exhaled NO from the mouth decreased further (30 ± 4 nl/min/M2, p < 0.001). Release of NO into nasal passages during VCSP (217 ± 19 nl/min/M2) was greater than exhaled NO during nasal breathing (141 ± 17 nl/min/m2, p < 0.001), suggesting that nasal NO is taken up by the respiratory tract. During mouth breathing or nose breathing, NO concentrations sampled with a bronchoscope were higher in the nasopharynx than at the epiglottis or in the trachea in five subjects. Increased peak exhaled NO after a breathhold (33 ± 7 ppb) was reduced (10 ± 4 ppb, p < 0.001) after balloon occlusion of the nasopharynx. NO concentration during breathholding increased to a greater extent in the nasopharynx than in the pharynx or trachea. We conclude that the majority of exhaled NO at rest and during a breathhold originates in the nasopharynx.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)829-836
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
Volume153
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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