Respiratory Medicine
Volume 104, Issue 11 , Pages 1757-1759, November 2010

Effect of tonsillectomy on the level of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) in patients with recurrent tonsillitis

  • A. Kasperska-Zajac

      Affiliations

    • Chair and Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Chair and Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, ul. Ceglana 35, 40-925 Katowice, Poland. Tel.: +48 601837333.
    • ,
  • E. Czecior

      Affiliations

    • Chair and Clinical Department of Otolaryngology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
    • ,
  • G. Namyslowski

      Affiliations

    • Chair and Clinical Department of Otolaryngology in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Received 19 May 2010; accepted 29 July 2010. published online 23 August 2010.

Summary 

Background

Increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in inflamed tonsils has been reported. Our preliminary observation was the first to demonstrate that increased exhaled NO level may occur in patients with tonsillitis.

Objective

To extend the observation scope, the same group of patients was examined for NO exhaled after tonsillectomy.

Materials and Methods

Exhaled oral NO level was measured with Niox Mino® analyzer, six-seven months after tonsillectomy in 27 non-atopic patients who suffered from recurrent tonsillitis and in 35 healthy non-atopic subjects.

Results

After tonsillectomy, exhaled NO levels were significantly reduced as compared to the preoperative period values and did not differ significantly from those of the healthy subjects.

Conclusions

The results support a finding of the elevated exhaled NO consequent to NO production in chronically inflamed tonsils, but whether NO plays any role in the pathogenesis of tonsillitis or is merely a by-product of another process, needs to be determined.

Keywords: Nitric oxide, Tonsillitis, Tonsillectomy

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PII: S0954-6111(10)00347-1

doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2010.07.024

Respiratory Medicine
Volume 104, Issue 11 , Pages 1757-1759, November 2010

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