Comparative studies of the elastin content of normal and emphysematous human lungs with special regard to antitrypsin deficiency.

The elastin content and the amino acid composition of elastin in emphysematous and healthy control lung tissues were comparatively studied. Decreased lung elastin content was found in the emphysematous patients of both normal and reduced trypsin inhibitor activity compared to normal control subjects. In the emphysematous patients with reduced inhibitor level a more significantly decreased elastin level was found than in those emphysematous patients with normal inhibitor level.

Protective effect of specific elastase inhibitor in experimental pulmonary emphysema.

The inhibitory effect of synthetic elastase inhibitor was studied in experimental emphysema. The development of emphysema was totally prevented by this substance. According to the authors' opinion the administration of synthetic elastase inhibitors can be considered as a new possibility in the treatment of pulmonary emphysema.

Prevention of elastase-induced emphysema by aerosol administration of a specific synthetic elastase inhibitor.

The effect of a synthetic elastase inhibitor was studied in experimental emphysema. The development of emphysema was totally prevented by this material. In the authors' opinion the administration of synthetic elastase inhibitors can be considered as a new possibility in the treatment of pulmonary emphysema.

Experimental pulmonary emphysema: its induction in rats by leuko-elastase extracted from purulent sputum.

Pulmonary emphysema was induced in rats by leuko-elastase extracted from purulent sputum, with the aim of throwing light on the part played by the elastolytic activity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. A brief review of the pertaining literature is presented.

A novel method for the purification of 15-hydroxy-prostaglandin-dehydrogenase from swine lungs.

15-Hydroxy-prostaglandin-dehydrogenase was purified 3 to 5 fold and with almost 100% yield from swine lungs by a novel method of precipitation with Rivanol after which it was further purified (8-10 fold) by gel-filtration. The optimal stability parameters of the purified enzyme preparation were determined and the behaviour of PGDH in polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis was studied by local enzyme detection. The enzyme seems to be composed of subunits.