Alpha 1-antitrypsin activity of perilymph. Occurrence during progression of otospongiosis.

Previous studies by the Adams method demonstrated a strong correlation between hydrolytic enzyme activity of perilymph and progression of bone conduction loss two years preceding stapedectomy. Alpha 1-Antitrypsin was chosen since its activity can be very precisely measured by a radical immunodiffusion technique and since it is one of the enzymes identified in perilymph of patients with active otospongiosis. Samples of 3 mul to 5 mul of perilymph removed during 103 stapedectomies and samples of known alpha 1-trypsin activity were placed on slides coated with alpha 1-antitrypsin serum. The zone of diffusion was stained and measured after 38 hours of incubation. Antitrypsin values were lowest in 24 cases, two with no preoperative bone conduction progression, three with moderate progression of 10 to 15 dB, and 19 with rapid progression of more than 20 dB. They were highest in 36 cases with no progression, and in one case with moderate progression. This study confirms previous reports on the enzymatic activity in otospongiotic disease.