Author/Editor		Debeljak, A; Križnar, K; Bizjak, M
Title		Kompleks serinske elastaze z alfa ena proteaznim inhibitorjem v pljučih kadilcev
Translated title		Serine elastase - alpha 1 protease inhibitor complex in the lung of smokers
Type		članek
Source		Zdrav Vestn
Vol. and No.		Letnik 62, št. 4
Publication year		1993
Volume		str. 149-52
Language		slo
Abstract		Background. The authors wanted to find out if serine elastase (PMN elastase) - alpha 1 protease inhibitor (alpha 1 Pi) complex in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is higher both in smokers and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. By prospective study in randomly selected 15 nonsmokers, 20 smokers and 16 smokers with COPD during bronchoscopy BAL was performed. The examined persons were included into the study if because of inflammatory or malignant lung diseases bronchoscopy was indicated. In BAL fluid the concentration of PMN elastase - alpha 1 Pi complex was determined using the heterogenous enzyme immunoassay 12589 Elastase Merck. Results. The relative concentration of PMN elastase - alpha 1 Pi complex in nonsmokers was 1.97 +- 2.01 micro g/mg albumin, in smokers 1.99 +- 2.12 micro g/mg albumin and 2.16 +- 2.10 micro g/mg albumin in patients with COPD. The differences were unsignificant. Conclusions. Cigarette smoking and COPD do not change the PMN elastase - alpha 1 Pi complex concentration in the lung. We think that in nonsmokers all alpha 1 Pi is already combined with PMN elastase. That is the reason why in smokers and patients with COPD the PMN elastase - alpha 1 Pi complex concentration in BAL fluid can not be elevated.
Descriptors		SMOKING LUNG DISEASES, OBSTRUCTIVE ALPHA 1-ANTITRYPSIN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID