PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J O Lundberg
AU  - E Weitzberg
AU  - J M Lundberg
AU  - K Alving
TI  - Intragastric nitric oxide production in humans: measurements in expelled air.
AID  - 10.1136/gut.35.11.1543
DP  - 1994 Nov 01
TA  - Gut
PG  - 1543--1546
VI  - 35
IP  - 11
4099  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/35/11/1543.short
4100  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/35/11/1543.full
SO  - Gut1994 Nov 01; 35
AB  - High values (800-6000 parts per billion) of nitric oxide (NO) in expelled air from the stomach were shown in humans by chemiluminescence technique. These NO values were more than 100 times higher than those found in orally exhaled air. Intragastric NO production is probably non-enzymatic, requiring an acidic environment, as NO in expelled air was reduced by 95% after pretreatment with the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole. Furthermore, large amounts of NO were formed in vitro from lettuce and saliva when placed in hydrogen chloride (pH < 2). In conclusion, large amounts of NO are formed intragastrically in humans and this source of NO may be of importance for the integrity of the gastric mucosa in health and disease. Measurements of NO in expelled air might be of value as a non-invasive method for estimation of gastric acidity.