Effect of inhalation of glucocorticoids on the levels of serum NO, NOS and GM-CSF in bronchial asthmatic children

Objective: To observe the effect of inhalation of glucocorticoids on the levels of serum No, NOS and GM-CSF in bronchial asthmatic children. Methods: Serum No, NOS(with chemistry), serum GM-CSF(with RIA) levels were determined in 36 patients and compared with 35 normal controls. Results: Before inhalation of glucocorticoids the serum No, NOS and GM-CSF levels were significantly higher than those in the controls(P < 0.01). After 3 months of inhalation glucocorticoids, the serum No, NOS and GM-CSF levels though dropped markedly but remained apparently higher than those in the controls(P < 0.05). Conclusion: Inhalation of glucocorticoids is an important means for bronchial asthma and the therapeutic effects closely related to the down regulation of levels of No, NOS and GM-CSF. (authors)