[Elastase and alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor complex in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid in patients with bronchial asthma and sarcoidosis].

Forty-three patients were enrolled into this study, twenty-eight with sarcoidosis in various radiological stages (I, II, III) and activity of disease (active or non-active) and fifteen with bronchial asthma. Elastase and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex (E-alpha 1IP) concentrations and percentage of neutrophils in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured in all groups of patients. There were no significant differences in E-alpha 1IP levels in patients with various activity of sarcoidosis. We noticed significant differences between radiological stages of sarcoidosis. E-alpha 1IP concentration in the pulmonary stage was significantly higher than in stage I hilar adenopathy and stage II hilar adenopathy plus pulmonary opacities. E-alpha 1IP concentrations in BALF were significantly higher in patients with bronchial asthma in comparison to patients with sarcoidosis.