METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING GASES INCLUDING NITRIC OXIDE TO ADDRESS FIBROSIS
A method of modulating oxygen saturation levels can include measuring oxygen saturation levels in a patient, administering inhaled nitric oxide, adjusting the dose of oxygen in real time to a second dose based on the inhaled nitric oxide.
1 . A method of modulating fibrosis in a subject, comprising:
identifying a subject having fibrosis;
providing nitric oxide for the subject in an effective dose to modulate myofibroblast abundance;
mixing a first gas including oxygen and a second gas including a nitric oxide-releasing agent within a receptacle to form a gas mixture, wherein the receptacle includes an inlet, an outlet and a reducing agent; and
contacting the nitric oxide-releasing agent in the gas mixture with the reducing agent to generate nitric oxide; and
administering nitric oxide for inhalation by a subject.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising assaying a biomarker for fibrosis.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising assaying the subject's collagen production as a marker for fibrosis.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the assaying is non-invasive.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose is 0.1 to 1 ppm for up to 30 minutes.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose is 0.1 to 5 ppm for up to 30 minutes.
7 . The method of claim 1 , where the dose is administered intermittently.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose is administered continuously.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing collagen production.
10 . The method of 1 , wherein the method further comprises providing supplemental oxygen to the subject.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed to reduce inflammation.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing lung fibrosis.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reducing oxidative stress.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed to address oxygen deficiency due to high altitude.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide-releasing agent is nitrogen dioxide.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering a hydrogen gas.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of nitric oxide in the gas mixture delivered is at least 0.01 ppm and at most 2 ppm.
18 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding hydrogen in the following combinations: (H+O2) or (H+NO) or (H+NO+O2).
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is treated for symptoms of interstitial lung disease, oxygen-induced inflammation, cardiac ischemia, myocardial dysfunction, ARDS, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, COPD, emphysema, fibrosis, or mountain sickness due to high altitude.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the hydrogen acts to eliminate peroxynitrite, thereby reducing adverse effects of nitric oxide.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide is provided in an amount effective to modulate its hormesis.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide is provided in an effective amount to minimize hemolysis such as during sepsis, mechanical circulatory support, valvular dysfunction, or sickle cell anemia.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide is administered to neonates.
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide is administered to pediatric patients.
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide is administered to adults.
26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nitric oxide is administered in a portable system.