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

Br Heart J. 1994 Sep;72(3):243-5. doi: 10.1136/hrt.72.3.243.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breath Tests
  • Estrogens / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Male
  • Menstrual Cycle / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Respiration / physiology*
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Nitric Oxide