Angiotensin converting enzyme activity (ACE), albumin, potassium, and alpha1-antitrypsin were measured in the serum and in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) of 10 normal control subjects and of 19 cases of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA). Among these 19 patients, 6 had a acute form of extrinsic alveolitis, 8 a subacute or chronic form, and 5 received a steroid therapy. Serum ACE is not increased in the acute forms of extrinsic alveolitis, but is significantly lower than control values in the subacute and chronic forms (p less than 0.04) and in patients under steroid therapy (p less than 0.002). The ACE/albumin, ACE/potassium, ACE/IgG and ACE/alpha1-antitrypsin ratios were measured in sera and BAL fluids. The results suggest that ACE is selectively transported across the alveolar capillary septum into the alveolar space. This transport, very important in control subjects, decreases in the subacute and chronic forms and in patients under steroid therapy. In the acute forms, the high level of ACE in BAL fluid is not due to an increased secretion of ACE, but is the result of an increased passive transudation of ACE from the vascular compartment across the inflammatory alveolar capillary septum.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative effects of bamifylline and theophylline on allergenic bronchospasm induced by the provocative inhalation test : double-blind cross-over study].

Protective and curative effects of parenterally administered bamifylline and theophylline on bronchospasm induced by standardized house dust inhalation were studied in two series of eight patients with allergic asthma to house dust. Preventive effects were assessed by variations in liminal allergen dose (LAD) required to double resistance of the air passages (Rap), measured by barometric body plethysmography after determining basal LAD levels. Thirty minutes afer a slow i.v. injection of bamifylline, and LAD mean value reached 920 +/- 950 % of control value, and was still at 830 +/- 1 000 % after 60 minutes. After theophylline, mean LAD values were 750 +/- 980 % at 30 minutes and 700 +/- 970 % at 60 minutes, a non-significant difference. Curative activity was evaluated by studying changes in Rap after the provocative inhalation test with house dust, the test being immediately followed by the administration of either bamifylline or theophylline. Similar results were also obtained employing this test : reduction in Rap of 35 +/- 17 % for bamifylline and 48 +/- 13 % for theophylline (non-significant difference) after 30 minutes, and of 38 +/- 25 % for bamifylline and 48 +/- 14 % for theophylline (non-significant difference) after 60 minutes. These findings suggest that these two xanthine derivatives possess comparable protective and curative effects against bronchospasm induced by allergen inhalation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied