The American review of respiratory disease
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Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. · May 1976
Protease inhibitors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the alpha-antitrypsin heterozygote controversy.
A group of 163 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, from the pulmonary service of a large urban hospital, were evaluated for their protease inhibitor (Pi) type by starch gel and crossed immunoelectrophoresis, for serum concentrations of alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha1-antichymotrypsin, and for pulmonary function. Of the patients with emphysema, 17.8% were of Pi type Z; 50% of these were less than 45 years of age, compared to 13% of those of Pi type M. ⋯ Concentrations of both alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha1-antichymotrypsin were increased and were correlated. No patient had a deficiency of alpha1-antichymotrypsin.