title: Elastase binding capacity of alpha 2-macroglobulin in plasma of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, without alpha 1-protease inhibitor deficiency.
abstract: The amidolytic activity of alpha 2-macroglobulin complexed with porcine pancreatic elastase (EC 3.4.21.11) was assayed using succinyl-trialanyl-p-nitroanilide. The levels of activity were compared in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, asthma patients, and in healthy subjects with no record of lung disease. Levels of alpha 1-protease inhibitor were also determined and only those cases within the normal range for alpha 1-protease inhibitor were selected. Both the asthma cases and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had levels of elastase-binding capacity related to alpha 2-macroglobulin which were significantly higher than the control groups.
authors: National Centre for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Kilroe-Smith
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Dowdeswell
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Gaillard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase