[Simple methods for the quantification of elastase and its inhibitors in human sera (author's transl)].

Two methods for measuring the elastase activity and the elastase inhibitory capacity of sera or other tissue extracts are described. The elastase inhibitory capacity of 40 human sera is determined using highly purified insoluble elastin in a gelified medium and this value is correlated to the alpha1-antitrypsin concentrations of these sera quantified by radial immunodiffusion. The elastase activity of these sera were determined on high molecular weight soluble kappaelastin peptides immobilized in a gelified medium and we have found a strong dispersion of the individual values.