Effects of 0.1 ppm Nitrogen Dioxide on Airways of Normal and Asthmatic Subjects

摘要

It has been reported that inhalation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) will enhance the bronchial reactivity of asthmatics. This study was designed to evaluate the respiratory effect of a 1-h exposure of normal subjects and of atopic asthmatics to 0.1 parts per million (ppm) NO2. Fifteen normal and 15 asthmatic subjects were exposed to air and to NO2 in randomized double-blind crossover design. Exposure to either atmosphere was bracketed by bronchial inhalation challenge using aerosolized metacholine chloride solutions. Plethysmographic measurements of specific airway resistance (sRaw) and the forced random noise impedance spectrum (5-30 Hz) were obtained immediately after each methacholine dose.