ERDOSTEINE PROTECTION FROM CIGARETTE SMOKE-INDUCED LOSS OF ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN ACTIVITY IN RAT LUNGS

1 May 1989

journal article
research article

Vol. 27 (5) , 235-237

Abstract

Acute inhalation of cigarette smoke induced .alpha.1-antitrypsin inactivation in rat lungs. The elastase inhibitory capacity of the protein could be prevented by oral treatment with erdosteine (a mucoregulator endowed with free radical scavenging properties). A partial dose-dependent protection was observed with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg. The mechanism of its action might be related either to the inhibition of .alpha.1-antitrypsin oxidation manifested by two SH groups liberated in vivo or to the anti-inflammatory and mucoregulator properties present in the substance.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:

Potential mechanism of emphysema: alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor recovered from lungs of cigarette smokers contains oxidized methionine and has decreased elastase inhibitory capacity.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1982