CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NITRIC OXIDE METABOLITES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

Forty-four patients aged 6 to 17 years suffering from persistent bronchial asthma in different periods of the disease demonstrated a decrease in the level of nitric oxide metabolites, reduced endothelium-dependent dilation of the brachial artery, increased sickness of the intima-media complex during disease exacerbation. Significant increase in the level of nitric oxide metabolites and endothelium-dependent dilation of the brachial artery was noticed during the follow-up period as compared with the period of exacerbation. However, these figures were still lower than those in the control group, which indicated the presence of persistent changes in the vascular wall.