Induction of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes after short time inhalation of nitric oxide.

INTRODUCTION

inhalation of nitric oxide (INO) leads to vasodilation of pulmonary vasculature in ventilated regions of the lung. The clinical use of INO, although not formally approved as a drug, is widespread. NO may rapidly form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in an oxygen containing gas mixture. NO2 has been shown to induce chromosome aberrations and mutations in both animal and bacterial test systems. We investigated whether a 2-h exposure to NO would increase frequencies of cells with chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of human volunteers.

METHODS

10 volunteers were exposed to inhaled NO 40 parts per million (ppm) for 2 h. Pre- and post-exposure blood samples were analysed.

RESULTS

no statistically significant differences (p</=0.05) in chromosome aberrations were observed between pre- and post-exposure samples.

CONCLUSION

no detectable increase of chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after 2 h of NO-inhalation 40 ppm was found.