Low levels of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Quantitations of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) have been proposed as noninvasive markers of airway inflammation. We hypothesized that exhaled CO is increased in individuals with α1-antitrypsin (AT) deficiency, who have lung inflammation and injury related to oxidative and proteolytic processes. Nineteen individuals with α1-AT deficiency, 22 healthy controls, and 12 patients with non-α1-AT-deficient chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had NO, CO, CO2, and O2 measured in exhaled breath. Individuals with α1-AT deficiency had lower levels of NO and CO than control or COPD individuals. α1-AT-deficient and COPD patients had lower exhaled CO2 than controls, although only α1-AT-deficient patients had higher exhaled O2 than healthy controls. NO was correlated inversely with exhaled O2 and directly with exhaled CO2, supporting a role for NO in regulation of gas exchange. Exhaled gases were not significantly related to corticosteroid use or lung function. Demonstration of lower than normal CO and NO levels may be useful as an additional noninvasive method to evaluate α1-AT deficiency in individuals with a severe, early onset of obstructive lung disease.