title: Protease inhibitors in plasma of patients with chronic urticaria.
abstract: The hypothesis that deficiencies of plasma protease inhibitors might play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria was evaluated. Plasma levels were measured in patients with urticaria and a matched control group for alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha2-macroglobulin, total trypsin-inhibiting capacity, kallikrein-inhibiting capacity, and the complement factors C1 esterase inhibitor, C3, and C4. A total of 92 patients with chronic urticaria or more than three months' duration was studied. Patients with acquired cold urticaria had significantly decreased levels of alpha1-antitrypsin and total antitrypsin activity. In patients with acquired angioneurotic edema, alpha1-antitrypsin levels and antichymotrypsin activities were lowered, with less significant decreases in anti-trypsin and antikallikrein activities. Levels of C1 esterase inhibitor , C3, and C4 were normal in all groups. There was no correlation between the increased sensitivity to intracutaneously administered kallikrein injection and deficiencies of of protease inhibitors.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000799:Angioedema / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D004950:Esterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D012882:Skin Tests; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D004950:Esterases; D007610:Kallikreins; D002918:Chymotrypsin