Objective: Serum elastase, alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha(1)-AT), procollagen III peptide (PIIIP) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were studied in smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to explore the roles of these factors in COPD induced by smoking.
Methods: A design of 154-pair case-control study was used. alpha(1)-AT, MDA and PIIIP were determined with colorimetric method, fluo-spectrophotometric method and radio-immunological assay, respectively, in non-smoker control and smokers with and without COPD.
Results: Serum PIIIP content was increased in smokers and alpha(1)-AT decreased significantly in patients with COPD.
Conclusion: Decreased alpha(1)-AT may be a susceptible factor in the development of COPD caused by smoking.