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. 1994 Sep;72(3):243–245. doi: 10.1136/hrt.72.3.243

Peak expiratory nitric oxide differences in men and women: relation to the menstrual cycle.

S A Kharitonov 1, R B Logan-Sinclair 1, C M Busset 1, E A Shinebourne 1
PMCID: PMC1025509  PMID: 7946774

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To develop a method to measure end expiratory nitric oxide concentration and to use it to determine whether there are sex related differences between healthy men and women. DESIGN--Modification of commercially available chemiluminescent analyser to allow endogenous nitric oxide (endothelium derived relaxing factor) to be measured in a single slow forced vital capacity manoeuvre with evaluation of between and within subject variability. Serial measurements in women throughout the menstrual cycle. SETTING--Specialist referral hospital. SUBJECTS--59 healthy volunteers (40 men and 19 women). RESULTS--Mean (SD) peak expiratory concentrations of nitric oxide in men (75 (20) ppb (parts per billion)), and women (70 (37) ppb (first measurement)) were > 5 times those previously recorded. In women concentrations at midcycle (150(39) ppb) were significantly higher (mean difference 94.9(41), P < 0.001) than during menstruation (59(25) ppb). CONCLUSION--Nitric oxide production (endothelium derived relaxing factor activity) is influenced by cyclical hormonal changes in women. There was an increase of more than 100% at mid cycle. This may be pertinent to the lower risk of cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women.

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Selected References

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