Abstract: The disturbing influence or orally produced nitric oxide in the measuring of exhaled nitric oxide can be ameliorated or totally eliminated through the use of a method and composition according to the present invention. The production of NO in the oral cavity is temporarily inhibited by the application of a composition having anti-bacterial and/or pH increasing effect.

Abstract: A method for the detection and diagnosis of food intolerance, e.g. coeliac disease, based on the determination of nitric oxide in a gas sample taken from the lumen of the distal gastrointestinal tract, preferably the rectum, after subjecting the patient to the suspected substance, underlying the intolerance reaction.

Abstract: Method for diagnosis of inflammatory conditions in the intestinal canal of humans, characterized in that NO is measured in the lumen of the intestines. The NO level obtained is then compared with the level obtained for healthy individuals or with the level obtained for the same individual at another occasion. An increased level compared to the normal levels in the intestines of the healthy population is an indication of an inflammatory condition in the intestine.

Abstract: Device and method for collecting endogenous gaseous nitric oxide (NO), in the urogenital tract, for example in the urinary tract and in the uterus and oviducts. According to one embodiment, a NO permeable, liquid impermeable inflatable body (16) is positioned in the urethra (5) surrounded by the prostate gland (17), whereby an additional inflatable body (4) positioned in the bladder (2) serves to seal off the bladder from the urethra and helps in the positioning of the device. The present invention further relates to a method and a system for use in the diagnosis of inflammatory states in said organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for determining a relevant proportion (a) of a chosen gas, an NO-gas or NO.sub.2 -gas, present in a gas mixture (A), such as in a gas mixture deriving from the expiration air or inspiration air of a living being (1), wherein an adapted sample proportion of the breathing air is passed from an outlet (11) in the immediate vicinity of said being, via a hose (10') or the like, to measuring equipment (13') that includes a measuring chamber (14') that is placed under a subpressure and to which ozone gas is also supplied, wherewith the nitrogen oxide present reacts with the ozone-gas to form NO.sub.2 and light, and wherein the apparatus includes a light measuring unit (13') which is adapted to evaluate the light thus generated and to calculate (18) the amount of predominant gas in the breathing air on the basis of this evaluation. The volume (14b') of the measuring chamber of such apparatus is adapted to include the volume enclosed in the hose (10') used.

Abstract: Method for diagnosis of inflammatory conditions in the intestinal canal of humans, characterized in that NO is measured in the lumen of the intestines. The NO level obtained is then compared with the level obtained for healthy individuals or with the level obtained for the same individual at another occasion. An increased level compared to the normal levels in the intestines of the healthy population is an indication of an inflammatory condition in the intestine.

Abstract: A device for determining the level of nitric oxide in an exhaled airstream belonging to a living organism selected to have its lung function evaluated, where an initial device is arranged to determine the current portion of nitric oxide and/or the distribution of nitric oxide over time during an exhalation phase. During the commencing period of the exhalation phase, the exhaled air is arranged to pass with no or with only a very small resistance or back-pressure to a free space, and during the remaining period, the exhaled air is arranged to pass through the initial device against the action of a suitable resistance or back-pressure. The level of nitric oxide is measured during this remaining period.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a system to be used for measuring NO levels in exhaled breathing air. The system comprises: (i) a face mask that tightly covers the nose and/or mouth of the individual that the mask is intended to be used on; (ii) an inlet unit for inhaled breathing air, (iii) an outlet unit for exhaled breathing air, (iv) a non-rebreathing valve through which inhaled and exhaled breathing air, respectively, passes, and (v) a measuring unit for NO connected to the outlet unit. The present invention furthers encompasses a method for the diagnosis in mammals of inflammatory conditions in the airways. The characteristic feature is that nitric oxide NO is measured in exhaled breathing air and a found abnormal level is taken as an indication of an inflammatory condition in the airways.