Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in Iranian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
BACKGROUND
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disease which affects both lung and liver. This disease is a recognized factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However its importance as the cause of COPD in a country such as Iran is unclear.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to find out the role of α-1 antitrypsin deficiency as a cause of COPD in Iranian patients.


METHODS
The serum concentration of α-1 antitrypsin was determined and the genotype of α-1 antitrypsin was also evaluated by PCR-RFLP in 130 patients with COPD and 50 normal healthy blood donors.


RESULTS
No α-1 antitrypsin deficient case was found in normal healthy people and COPD patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results clarify that deficiency of α-antitrypsin is not a major cause of COPD in Iranian patients.
Department of Pathology, Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran ; Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
Bita
B
Geramizadeh
Department of Pathology, Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
Zahra
Z
Jowkar
Department of Pathology, Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
Leila
L
Karami
Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
Masoum
M
Masoumpour
Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
Samrad
S
Mehrabi
Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
Mohammad-Ali
MA
Ghayoumi
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency; COPD; Iran