muramidase and Lung-Diseases

Topics: Dysgammaglobulinemia; Humans; IgA Deficiency; IgG Deficiency; Immunoglobulin M; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Lung; Lung Diseases; Lymphopenia; Muramidase; T-Lymphocytes

Bovine respiratory anatomy and physiology were reviewed and considered in relationship to the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease. Factors which may predispose cattle to respiratory disease included a small physiological gaseous exchange capacity, greater basal ventilatory activity, and greater anatomical compartmentalization of the lung as compared with other mammals, a low level and atypical bioactivity of bovine lysozyme, and low numbers of macrophages within the alveolar lumen.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Body Temperature Regulation; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Immunoglobulins; Lung; Lung Diseases; Mucus; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Pneumonia, Atypical Interstitial, of Cattle; Pulmonary Alveoli; Pulmonary Circulation; Respiration; Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; Respiratory System; Skatole

Topics: Air Pollution; Animals; Cell Membrane; Fatty Acids; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lung; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Nitrogen Dioxide; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen Consumption; Ozone; Phospholipids; Proteins; Pulmonary Emphysema; Surface Properties

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease with unknown etiology. Many clinical presentations have been reported, and acute disease needs to be distinguished from subacute and chronic disease. The unpredictable clinical course of the disease prompted us to evaluate the clinical utility of biomarker serum detection in sarcoidosis follow-up.. Serum concentrations of chitotriosidase, ACE, KL-6, and lysozyme were analyzed by different methods in a population of 74 sarcoidosis patients (46 on steroid therapy at sampling) regularly monitored at Siena Sarcoidosis Regional Referral Centre and in a group of controls with the aim of comparing their contribution to clinical management of sarcoidosis patients.. KL-6 concentrations were significantly elevated in sarcoidosis patients with lung fibrosis and were significantly correlated with DLco and CPI score, while chitotriosidase was significantly higher in patients with extrapulmonary localizations. With a cut-off value of 303.5 IU/ml, KL-6 showed the best sensitivity (78%), while chitotriosidase reported the best specificity (85%) among the biomarkers.. KL-6 is a reliable biomarker of fibrotic lung involvement in sarcoidosis patients. Among biomarkers, KL-6 showed the best sensitivity and serum chitotriosidase the best specificity, even in patients on chronic steroid therapy, and seemed to correlate with extrapulmonary localizations.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Female; Hexosaminidases; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis; Sensitivity and Specificity

Treatment of bacterial infections becomes increasingly complicated due to increasing bacterial resistance and difficulty in developing new antimicrobial agents. Emphasis should be laid on improvising the existing treatment modalities. We studied the improved antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of levofloxacin (LFX) and lysozyme (LYS) in microbiological studies. LFX at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration with LYS eradicated > 85% of preformed biofilm. LFX was actively loaded into the liposomes using pH gradient method and was spray-dried with LYS solution. Percent entrapment of LFX in liposome was > 80% and prolonged cumulative release of 85% LFX at the end of 12 h. In vitro lung deposition study and solid-state characterization for spray dried LFX liposome in combination with LYS (LFX liposome-LYS) was performed. Co-spray dried product had mass median aerodynamic diameter ranging < 5 μm. In pharmacodynamic study, Staphylococcus aureus infected rats were treated with LFX liposome-LYS. Lungs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and nasal fluid were evaluated for microbial burden. Expression of cytokine levels in BALF and serum were also studied by ELISA. In addition, mRNA expression for lung inflammatory mediators and lung myeloperoxidase activity were carried out. Further, lungs and histological changes were observed grossly. Untreated infected rat lungs demonstrated higher mRNA expression for inflammatory markers, cytokine levels, and microbial load compared to vehicle control. Conversely, LFX liposome-LYS significantly abated these adverse repercussions. Histology findings were also in agreement of above. Acute toxicity study revealed safeness of LFX liposome-LYS. Our findings confirm LFX liposome-LYS exhibited prolonged, improved antibiofilm and antimicrobial efficacy in treating S. aureus infection.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Drug Therapy, Combination; Levofloxacin; Liposomes; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Rats; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

The respiratory tract produces a number of molecules that act in the first line of host defense to protect against pathogenic colonization and tissue invasion. Most of the innate antimicrobial activity can be attributed to airway fluid proteins, such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory leukoproteinase inhibitor, and peptides, such as defensins. Human beta-defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides with broad and potent microbicidal activity that have been shown to play a role in protecting the healthy lung from infection. To determine the effect of thermal injury on the production of the inducible beta-defensin, human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2), we measured the concentration of HBD-2 by Western blot analysis in bronchoalveolar lavage samples from the lungs of burned patients with and without inhalation injury. Our data demonstrates an increased amount of HBD-2 in the pulmonary airways with thermal injury compared to normal lung. A further substantial increase in levels was noted in chronic lung conditions.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Infective Agents; beta-Defensins; Biomarkers; Blotting, Western; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Burns, Inhalation; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Lung Injury; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Respiratory Tract Infections

The estimations of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and lysozyme (LYS) levels in pleural fluid have been proved useful tools in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions. Little is known about their usefulness when estimated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).. To evaluate whether both ADA activity and LYS levels in BALF could be employed in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, and especially in active but acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear negative cases.. ADA activity and LYS levels were determined in BALF and serum obtained on the same day in 28 patients with tuberculosis, 21 with interstitial lung diseases, 14 with lung cancer and 13 with infectious diseases.. Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis had significantly higher ADA activity in BALF than patients with non-tuberculous lung diseases (P < 0.001). High BALF ADA activity in pulmonary tuberculosis patients suggests increased local production. In contrast, in this group of patients BALF LYS levels were not significantly higher than in the other groups of patients, but were in the group with interstitial lung diseases.. BALF ADA activity seems to be a useful tool in the differentiation of tuberculosis from other lung diseases. Its estimation can be restricted to the detection of cases with AFB negative smears.

Topics: Adenosine Deaminase; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Case-Control Studies; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Biochemical and cellular characteristics of pleural fluid from two patients with pleuropulmonary tularemia and 39 patients with tuberculous pleurisy were compared. High pleural fluid concentrations of adenosine deaminase, lysozyme, and beta 2-microglobulin occurred in both diseases. As is the case with tuberculous pleural effusions, pleural fluid in tularemia showed an abundance of lymphocytes, predominantly CD4-positive T lymphocytes. The similar pleural fluid findings suggest analogous local pathogenetic mechanisms in tularemia and tuberculosis. In the diagnostic evaluation of a lymphocyte-rich exudative pleural effusion with a high adenosine deaminase concentration, a possible cause to consider is tularemia.

Topics: Aged; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lymphocyte Subsets; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Pleural Effusion; Tuberculosis, Pleural; Tularemia

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (SACE) and lysozyme activity were measured in a group of 40 underground coal miners and two control groups, 20 subjects with sarcoidosis and 15 normal non-dust-exposed volunteers. The miners were grouped first according to whether they had recent exposure (still actively mining or retired three years or less prior to measurement) or temporally more distant exposure (retired more than three years prior to measurement). Secondly, they were grouped as to whether or not they had coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). The subjects with sarcoidosis were grouped according to disease activity. As expected, the subjects with active sarcoidosis had elevated SACE activity compared with normal subjects. The coal miners as a group did not have elevation of their SACE activity. However, the coal miners with recent exposure had elevated SACE activity (57.1 +/- 3.9 U/ml) compared with normal controls (43.8 +/- 1.5 U/ml, p = 0.007). The SACE activity in miners without recent exposure was not elevated (39.8 +/- 1.3 U/ml) compared with the normal controls. No increase in SACE activity was found when the miners were grouped according to the presence or absence of CWP. In contrast, the miners' serum lysozyme activity was not elevated. Since alveolar macrophages are a potential source of SACE, elevation of SACE activity in underground coal miners may reflect alveolar macrophage activation caused by increased pulmonary mixed coal mine dust burden. Furthermore, since both SACE and serum lysozyme are elevated in association with silicosis, these findings may confirm that the macrophage responses to inhaled silica and coal dust differ.

Topics: Coal Mining; Humans; Lung Diseases; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages, Alveolar; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Occupational Exposure; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pneumoconiosis; Sarcoidosis; Time Factors

In 30 patients with sarcoidosis we estimated immunohistochemically the activity of lysozyme in correlation to the activity of ACE in serum and found a positive correlation between these two parameters. We conclude, that the lysozyme content of sarcoidotic granulomas, estimated immunohistochemically, may be a useful morphological parameter of the activity of the disease, applicable on formol fixed and paraffin embedded bioptical material.

Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lung Diseases; Lymph Nodes; Male; Mediastinoscopy; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Prognosis; Sarcoidosis

Foreign-body (dextran beads) and hypersensitivity (antigen-coupled agarose beads) lung granulomas were induced in BALB/c mice by the intratracheal injection of beads. Large granulomas developed, which reached peak intensity within 3 days and declined in size thereafter. Aqueous extracts of both granulomas contained high levels of lysosomal enzymes N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and lysozyme. Lysosomal enzyme activities in the extracts correlated with granuloma sizes. Dispersed granuloma cells were able to produce these enzymes. These results suggest that lysosomal enzymes may reflect the activity/size of granulomatous inflammation.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Dextrans; Drug Hypersensitivity; Granuloma; Lung Diseases; Lysosomes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Muramidase; Time Factors

The content of lysozyme in the phagocytosing peripheral blood cells was carried out in 50 patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis depending on the clinical form, extension and duration of the pathological processes. The function of these cells showed essential changes in patients with widely spread old processes and those of long duration. The changes of lysozyme secretion by neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes were diverse that may be explained by different mechanisms of this process in the cells.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Lung Diseases; Lymphatic Diseases; Monocytes; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Sarcoidosis

The aim of this study was to explore whether amounts of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and lysozyme produced within the lungs correlate more closely than serum levels of these enzymes, or other inflammatory markers, with chest radiographic profusion scores, lung function and therapy response in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. We have studied 25 patients, and levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were used to determine "local" enzyme production by reference to serum and lavage albumin. Before treatment, serum lysozyme levels were elevated in more patients (80%) than serum ACE levels (40%). They also gave the best overall correlation with clinical measurements prior to treatment and falls in serum lysozyme closely parallelled improvement in lung function (transfer factor for carbon monoxide (DLCO)) on therapy. The only other markers showing significant correlations with disease severity were lavage neutrophil counts per ml and "local" ACE measurements prior to treatment. The value of pre-treatment levels of the different inflammatory markers in predicting response to corticosteroid therapy was explored and the only significant finding was that BAL lymphocyte percentages and numbers.ml-1 were initially higher in patients with lower post-treatment chest X-ray scores (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). We conclude that serum lysozyme levels appear to be a more useful marker of overall disease activity in sarcoidosis than measurements of other inflammatory markers. However, BAL lymphocyte counts were the best predictive marker of radiographic response to corticosteroids.

Topics: Adult; Albumins; Biomarkers; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cell Count; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Radiography; Sarcoidosis; Serum Albumin

In 166 bronchial secretions from 63 children with chronic nontuberculous lung diseases lysozyme, transferrin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein were estimated. In patients with hard bronchoscopic or bronchographic alterations a reduction of lysozyme, alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin could be found. These proteins were measured more frequently in cases with dark altered mucosa. Moreover no relation could be found between transferrin, alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin and the outbreak of the diseases. -In bacterial contaminated secretions transferrin could be demonstrated more frequently in comparison with sterile bronchial secretions.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; alpha-Macroglobulins; Bronchi; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Haptoglobins; Humans; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Orosomucoid; Proteins; Transferrin

S-100 protein immunostaining has been advocated to identify the characteristic Langerhans' cells in the histologic diagnosis of PEG. Reliable demonstration of an increased number of Langerhans' cells is essential in difficult biopsy cases, since occasional Langerhans' cells can be found in other pulmonary lesions. We examined the S-100 protein labeling pattern in three cases of PEG and in a variety of controls. Non-Langerhans' histiocytes were labeled for lysozyme antigen on the same histologic sections using a combined ABC and PAP technique. This verified that the S-100 protein-negative histiocytes were indeed a separate population from the S-100 protein-positive histiocytes and did not represent Langerhans' cells which failed to label with antiserum to S-100 protein. This technique confirms the usefulness of S-100 protein staining in the diagnosis of PEG and offers a means to verify the reliability of the S-100 protein labeling in questionable cases.

Topics: Biopsy; Eosinophilic Granuloma; Granulocytes; Histiocytes; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Langerhans Cells; Lung; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; S100 Proteins; Staining and Labeling

Own experiences in practical application of immunohistochemistry are demonstrated in cases of lung fibrosis, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and allergic vasculitis. Methods for demonstration of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE) are useful in diagnosis of allergic vasculitis (IgG) and allergic alveolitis (IgE). Lysozyme is an important morphological parameter for the estimation of the activity of sarcoidosis. First results of application of antisera against mycobacteria and Kveim antigen are discussed in respect to more precise differential diagnosis of granulomatous lung diseases (sarcoidosis, tuberculosis).

Topics: Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Antigens, Bacterial; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Immunohistochemistry; Lung; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Mycobacterium; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Sarcoidosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Vasculitis

We have determined simultaneously the ADAp and Lp/Ls ratio in 138 pleural effusions: 61 tuberculous; 42 malignant; 14 transudates; five parapneumonic uncomplicated; six empyematous; and ten cases belonging to a miscellaneous group which included two disseminated lupus erythematosus; two posttraumatic; one pancreatitis; one pleuropericarditis by Mycoplasma; one viral pleuropericarditis; and three pulmonary embolisms. This has allowed us to clear the overlapping for the ADAp activity among tuberculous patients (two cases of lupus and three cases of malignant effusions) in our series. The overlap in the Lp/Ls ratio among tuberculous patients, two malignant, and two parapneumonic uncomplicated cases was also cleared. Fixing the ADAp values at 33 U and the Lp/Ls ratio at 1.2, the tuberculous pleural effusion cases were differentiated from the nontuberculous with a sensibility, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and safety diagnosis of 100 percent. It has been proven that there is a good correlation between ADAp and Lp/Ls ratio (r = 0.717) and the ADAp and Lp (r = 0.660).

Topics: Adenosine Deaminase; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Empyema; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Nucleoside Deaminases; Pleural Effusion; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascitic Fluid; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neoplasms; Pleural Effusion

Topics: Adult; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Lung Diseases; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Phagocytosis

A rat model of chronic pulmonary infection (CPI) initiated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa embedded in agar beads was used to test the effect of ozone on lysosomal enzyme levels in alveolar macrophages (AM). CPI was induced by intratracheal instillation of a 0.1-ml suspension of infected beads into the left lung. Ten days after infection half the rats were exposed to atmospheres of air and half to 0.64 ppm ozone for 4 weeks. Enzyme levels were measured using a scanning cytospectrophotometer linked to PDP/11 computer. Measurement of lysozyme in individual rat AM in situ showed a significant decrease in cell size and enzyme content in ozone-exposed uninfected animals. Cell size and enzyme content of ozone-exposed animals with CPI were further reduced, suggesting a synergistic effect between ozone exposure and chronic infection.

Topics: Animals; Bacterial Infections; Chronic Disease; Lung Diseases; Macrophages; Male; Monocytes; Muramidase; Ozone; Pulmonary Emphysema; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

The object of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the immuno-suppressor Azathioprine (AZ) on chronic and severe pulmonary sarcoidosis, with a persistent activity resistant to prolonged corticotherapy. The study was done on 10 patients (4 women, 6 men) afflicted by an histologically proven and chronic sarcoidosis, resistant to steroid treatment. The treatment consisted of a daily oral intake of 150 mg of AZ for six months. Its effectiveness was evaluated before and after treatment, in comparison with a control group and a steroid-treated group of sarcoid patients. Serologic and alveolar functional and immuno-biologic tests were performed in 8 cases according to the activity criteria defined at the IXth International Congress on sarcoidosis. No clinical or hematological side effects were observed; a clear and prolonged radiological and clinical amelioration was observed in 7 out of 10 cases and in 3 cases a restoration of sensibility to the tuberculin skin test; in the 8 cases a significant improvement (p less than 0.01) was noted after the sixth month of treatment only in the alveolar fluid in the following parameters: ACE, all the proteins studied and the percentage of lymphocytes.

Topics: Adult; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Azathioprine; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lymphocytes; Male; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis

The phagocytic and complement receptor function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from patients with sarcoidosis was studied using a kinetic assay which allows the distinction to be made between Fc receptor-mediated and C3b receptor-mediated particle uptake. The study included one group (A) of patients with active disease (n = 20), and one group (B) with silent or inactive disease who since 10 years had no symptoms or radiological signs of sarcoidosis (n = 11). Abnormal C3b receptor function was observed in both groups but the impairment was most pronounced in the A group. The presence of C3b receptor dysfunction in both groups with a quantitative difference between the groups, is compatible with C3b receptor dysfunction being a primary causal factor of sarcoidosis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lung Compliance; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Receptors, Complement; Receptors, Complement 3b; Respiratory Function Tests; Sarcoidosis

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Blood Donors; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Leukemia; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Sarcoidosis

Chemotactic and chemokinetic activity was studied in sera from 57 patients with various stages of sarcoidosis. Reduced chemotactic activity was observed in 39% of the sera, mainly in sera from patients with parenchymal densities on chest radiographs. Increased chemokinetic activity was noted in more than one third of the fresh sarcoid sera. Asymptomatic patients showed higher chemokinetic activity in their sera than patients with symptoms. The presence of heat-stable chemokinetic inhibitors was suggested in one third of the cases. No relationship was found between these inhibitors and the inhibitors of neutrophil phagocytosis previously demonstrated in sarcoid sera. Although many of the findings show minor differences to those of normal sera, the liability in sarcoidosis to produce a variety of inhibitors directed against various functions of neutrophils would theoretically hamper the elimination of putative antigens. The presence of serum mediated stimulation and inhibition of neutrophil locomotion could be significant for the pathogenesis of the disease.

Topics: Aminopeptidases; Cell Migration Inhibition; Cell Movement; Chemotactic Factors; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Complement C3; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Orosomucoid; Phagocytosis; Sarcoidosis

Topics: Adult; Bronchi; Humans; Lung Diseases; Macrophages; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Pulmonary Alveoli

In previous studies, we found that endotracheal administration of beryllium oxide (BeO) produced cell-mediated immunity and granulomatous lung disease in strain 2 but not strain 13 guinea pigs. This report describes phenotypic and functional studies of bronchial lavage cells from both guinea pig strains after BeO exposure. In BeO-treated strain 2 animals, the percentage of T (ER+)3 lymphocytes was significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated above normal by 2 weeks after BeO exposure, while T lymphocytes were not increased in strain 13. Giant cells containing crystalline material in fused, coalesced phagolysosomes were observed in treated animals of both strains. BeO-exposed strain 2 alveolar macrophages (AM) demonstrated enhanced killing of Listeria monocytogenes and enhanced chemiluminescence, while AM of strain 13 had responses below controls. Findings support the presence of BeO-induced cellular immunologic activity in strain 2 animals and, on the other hand, suggest BeO toxicity to lavage cells in strain 13.

Topics: Animals; Beryllium; Fibroblasts; Guinea Pigs; Lung Diseases; Lymphocyte Activation; Macrophages; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Pulmonary Alveoli; T-Lymphocytes; Therapeutic Irrigation

Lavaged and in situ rat alveolar macrophages were compared with respect to lysozyme content and size in order to assess the extent to which macrophages from pulmonary lavages reflect the in situ cell population. This relationship was studied in normal rats and in rats with pulmonary granulomas induced by glucan stimulation (10 mg/kg given intravenously on Days 5, 3, and 1 before being killed). Alveolar macrophages in pulmonary lavages and histologic sections were stained for lysozyme by the immunoperoxidase method using rabbit antiserum to rat lysozyme. Enzyme content and cell size were measured with a conventional scanning cytospectrophotometer and an automated image analysis system (LEYTAS). Scanning cytospectrophotometry measurements showed that 26% of in situ alveolar macrophages from glucan-treated rats contained more lysozyme than did control cells and that 31% possessed larger areas. Fewer large alveolar macrophages containing increased amounts of lysozyme were detected in lavages of glucan-treated rats. Frequency histograms of lysozyme content and cell size were similar for lavaged and in situ macrophages from control rats. Measurements with LEYTAS confirmed the results. These experiments demonstrate that alveolar macrophages obtained by lavage are representative of their in situ counterparts in normal but not in glucan-treated rats.

Topics: Animals; Granuloma; Lung Diseases; Macrophages; Male; Muramidase; Pulmonary Alveoli; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Therapeutic Irrigation

67Ga scintigraphy, using a 67Ga accumulation score, was compared with serum lysozyme (LZM) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels in 34 patients with biopsy-proven, pulmonary sarcoidosis. Serum LZM and ACE values varied between 1.0 to 21.3 mg/l (mean 4.3 +/- 3.4 mg/l) and 33 to 146 U/l (mean 69 +/- 26 U/l), respectively. Normal values were found in 26 and 35% of the patients. All patients, however, had abnormal 67Ga uptake in the pulmonary hilar lymph nodes and/or parenchyma. The follow-up of untreated and treated patients supports the suggestion that 67Ga scintigraphy is more useful for assessing the extent and activity of the intrathoracic sarcoid lesions. Serum LZM and ACE measurements are helpful, but normal LZM and ACE values do not exclude activity and progression of disease in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Radionuclide Imaging; Sarcoidosis

During the last decade, many biochemical and immunologic advances have been made in the treatment and understanding of sarcoidosis. These studies have helped us to understand the basic mechanisms involved in granuloma formation, and many clinicians have used the information to diagnose and assess the activity of sarcoidosis. Further studies are needed to clearly establish the role of these advances in the everyday management of patients with sarcoidosis.

Topics: Bronchoscopy; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Kveim Test; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis; Therapeutic Irrigation; Transcobalamins

Topics: Antibody Formation; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis

Topics: Antigen-Antibody Complex; Humans; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Sarcoidosis

Topics: Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Volume Measurements; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Radiography, Thoracic; Radionuclide Imaging; Sarcoidosis; Therapeutic Irrigation

The relationship between serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE) and serum lysozyme (SLZ) was examined in 48 patients with sarcoidosis. The level of at least one enzyme was elevated in all 41 cases with active sarcoidosis; both enzymes were elevated in 24. SACE and SLZ were positively correlated. The elevation of SLZ or SLZ+SACE was most frequent in patients with pulmonary parenchymal involvement or extrathoracic manifestations. Both enzymes are suitable for disease monitoring, but in most cases the more specific SACE must be preferred as a measure of disease activity, although SLZ seems to be a little more sensitive. Blood for SACE analysis must arrive at the laboratory not later than 3 days after blood collection in order to avoid enzyme inactivation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Humans; Lung Diseases; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis; Specimen Handling; Time Factors

Topics: Antigen-Antibody Complex; Bronchi; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Lung Diseases; Mediastinal Diseases; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pulmonary Alveoli; Sarcoidosis

The present study was carried out to compare radiological and physiological changes in sarcoidosis with biochemical markers for inflammatory cell populations. Of 53 patients with sarcoidosis, 28 had respiratory symptoms and 30 past or present bilateral hilar adenopathy without symptoms. A clinical score based on lung function tests and radiological findings correlated well with elevations of lysozyme and beta2-microglobulin in serum, indicating increased inflammatory cell activity in patients with more severe lung affection. A covariation between beta2-microglobulin and lysozyme was found, suggesting concomitant activation of macrophages and lymphocytes in sarcoidosis. Serum levels of lactoferrin were elevated in patients with a disease of short duration but did not correlate with the severity of the lung affection. The closing volume also seems to be abnormal in the early course of the disease, while elevated lysozyme and beta2-microglobulin levels rather seem to reflect the extent of the pulmonary affection.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta 2-Microglobulin; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Radiography; Respiratory Function Tests; Sarcoidosis

Topics: Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis

Serum lysozyme (LZM) concentrations were correlated to the number of neutrophils and monocytes in patients with sarcoidosis and nongranulomatous diseases. In sarcoidosis patients with an increased activity of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a positive correlation was noted between LZM and blood monocytes. In sarcoidosis patients with normal ACE activity, as well as in patients with non-granulomatous diseases, a correlation was found between blood neutrophils and LZM, but not between blood monocytes and LZM. LZM was found in bone marrow plasma and in serum in a ratio of 1.5 to 1. Sarcoidosis patients had 30% higher LZM levels than healthy controls. The concentration of LZM in bone marrow plasma did not correlate to detectable granulomas in bone marrow specimens. The positive correlation between blood monocytes and LZM in patients with clinically active sarcoidosis is possibly due to recruitment of bone marrow monocytes for the granuloma formation.

Topics: Bone Marrow; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lung Diseases; Monocytes; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis

We prospectively evaluated concentrations of beta-D-galactosidase, alpha-L-fucosidase, beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and lysozyme in urine from normal subjects, ambulatory patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and CF patients with previously normal renal function who were receiving intravenous aminoglycoside (AG) therapy. Enzyme activities were generally low or negligible in subjects not receiving AG. Enzymuria was documented during 12 of 13 AG treatment courses and most frequently involved beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase excretion. In nine courses, enzymuria occurred in the absence of proteinuria or elevations of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. In three courses attended by enzymuria and evidence of nephrotoxicity, neither the time of appearance nor the magnitude of enzymuria was different from that of nonnephrotoxic patients. In two of these three treatment courses, enzymuria preceded clinical evidence of nephrotoxicity of 16 and 5 days, and in the third course enzymuria and elevation of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine occurred simultaneously. We conclude that enzymuria is not a reliable predictor of nephrotoxicity due to AG in CF patients and is not an indication of discontinue AG therapy.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Adolescent; Adult; alpha-L-Fucosidase; Aminoglycosides; beta-Galactosidase; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Female; Gentamicins; Glycoside Hydrolases; Humans; Kidney; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Pseudomonas Infections; Tobramycin

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bronchi; Humans; Lung Diseases; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Pulmonary Alveoli; Therapeutic Irrigation

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was studied in healthy controls, in 57 untreated sarcoidosis patients, and in 164 patients with other chest or lymph node diseases. The serum ACE activity of healthy persons was independent of sex, intake of meals, and smoking habits. There were no diurnal variations. Healthy children had a significantly higher ACE mean value than adults, whose ACE activity was not affected by age. The sarcoidosis patients had the highest ACE mean values, but those of patients with silicosis and asbestosis were also significantly elevated. Pulmonary cancer patients had decreased serum ACE activity, which was probably due to antimitotic treatment. Serum lysozyme (LZM) concentrations did not correlate with normal ACE activity, but the correlation between elevated ACE and LZM was significant in sarcoidosis and silicosis, and the trend was clearly the same for asbestosis. This indicates separate sources for these enzymes when ACE activity is normal, and a common source, i.e. macrophages, when ACE activity is increased. ACE production in certain diseases involving macrophages may be due to the bradykinin inhibiting effect of this enzyme.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Asbestosis; Bronchitis; Female; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphatic Diseases; Lymphoma; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pneumonia; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Sarcoidosis; Silicosis; Thoracic Neoplasms; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Serum angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) and lysozyme have been measured in 23 controls, 115 patients with sarcoidosis, and 64 with other chest diseases. Both enzymes were significantly raised in sarcoidosis. ACE was raised above the normal range in 21 of 72 (29%) patients with definite sarcoidosis and in 17 of 38 (45%) of those who were untreated and seen within one year of presentation. The rise discriminated usefully between those with stable and progressive disease (5% and 62% respectively). Lysozyme was raised in 50 of 72 (69%) patients with sarcoidosis but also in 11 of 54 (20%) patients with other chest diseases. Discrimination between stable and progressive disease was useful only if very high levels were considered. Five patients had serial measurements after treatment with oral steroids and showed a progressive fall in levals of both enzymes, but patients with other diseases also showed a significant fall within the normal range when so treated. Measurement of these enzymes may help in the management of some cases of sarcoidosis, but results require critical interpretation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Prednisone; Sarcoidosis

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and lysozyme (LZM) concentration in 22 silicosis and 18 asbestosis patients were studied. These patients were compared with 57 untreated and 36 treated sarcoidosis patients. In all groups significantly raised ACE and LZM mean values were noted. Untreated sarcoidosis patients had the highest values. Raised ACE activity in silicosis and asbestosis has not been reported before, and weakens the differential diagnostic value of this enzyme determination for sarcoidosis. The similar patterns of increased ACE and LZM mean values in all three diseases suggest that these enzymes have a common source.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Asbestosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis; Silicosis

Topics: Angiotensins; Humans; Lung Diseases; Macrophages; Monocytes; Muramidase; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Sarcoidosis

Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Bronchi; Catheterization; Chronic Disease; Humans; Immunity; Immunity, Cellular; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Aged; Asthma; Blood Proteins; Bronchitis; Carbohydrates; Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Electrophoresis; Female; Globulins; Glycoproteins; Haptoglobins; Heart Failure; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Lung Diseases; Macroglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Sputum; Transferrin; Trypsin Inhibitors; Ultracentrifugation

Topics: Animals; Lung Diseases; Mice; Muramidase; Ozone; Rabbits

Topics: Adult; Aged; Erythromycin; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Tetracycline

Topics: Fungi; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Muramidase; Mycetoma

Topics: Animals; BCG Vaccine; Granuloma; Lung; Lung Diseases; Macrophages; Muramidase; Mycobacterium bovis; Rabbits; Vaccination