[Mucous membrane specific protease inhibitors in bronchial mucus in severe chronic obstructive bronchitis and in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency syndrome].

In the bronchial mucus of 40 patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases we measured proteolytic activities, the total protein concentrations, alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha1-antichymotrypsin, and the free and bound proteinase inhibitors together with the total proteinase inhibition against trypsin and chymotrypsin. Without exception we always found free proteinase inhibitors together with proteolytic activities. The free-to-bound inhibitor rate was approximately 1:1 alpha1-Antitrypsin and alpha1-antichymotrypsin was measured in sputum only in very low concentrations.

[Effect of the protease inhibitor aprotinin on pulmonary function and on the inhibitory activity of sputum in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis].

It has been investigated whether a substitution of protease inhibitor deficiency is indicated in case of chronic obstructive airway disease. As a therapeutic possibility, apronitin isolated from bovine organs (tyasylol), which in vitro inhibits sputum proteases up to 80 per cent was tested. Besides infusion, inhalation was chosen for application by which a protease inhibition could be attained.