Functional and immunological concentrations of alpha 2-macroglobulin compared in plasma of subjects without alpha 1-protease inhibitor deficiency.
Alpha 2-Macroglobulin concentrations as measured by a functional assay and by laser nephelometry with antibody precipitation were compared for 67 outpatients at a respiratory clinic and 30 blood-donor control subjects with no respiratory disease. In both groups, concentrations of alpha 1-protease inhibitor in plasma, as measured by laser nephelometry, were within the normal reference interval. A reasonable correlation (r = 0.70) was obtained between results of functional assays and of laser nephelometry for the control individuals. For patients with pulmonary disease the correlation between the two assay methods was poorer (r = 0.53). We conclude that the functional assay of plasma is the better method for detecting abnormal concentrations of alpha 2-macroglobulin in patients with lung diseases.
Gaillard
M C
MC
National Centre for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
von Arb
M
M
da Costa
A
A
Kilroe-Smith
T A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase