title: Oxidation of plasma alpha 1-antitrypsin in smokers and nonsmokers and by an oxidizing agent.
abstract: The inhibitor activity of the protease inhibitor alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-protease inhibitor) is decreased by oxidizing agents such as those found in cigarette smoke. We have compared specific elastase and specific trypsin inhibitor activity, under defined conditions, in 26 smokers and 26 nonsmokers. Contrary to some previous reports, we have not found a difference between them. The oxidizing agent chloramine T was used to provide an additional oxidant stress for the comparison of plasma from nonsmokers and smokers. Although there was considerable variation between individual subjects in the extent of inactivation of inhibitor activity of alpha 1-antitrypsin, there was no significant difference between nonsmokers and smokers. Apparently there was sufficient antioxidant activity in the plasma of the smokers we tested to prevent the detection of oxidized inactivated alpha 1-antitrypsin.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002700:Chloramines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010949:Plasma; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002700:Chloramines; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; C016300:chloramine-T; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase