[Trypsin and pancreatic elastase-inhibitory capacity of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of smokers, ex-smokers and nonsmokers].

Smoking habits have no differentiating effect on the functional activity of protease inhibitor (alpha 1PI) in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In the BALF, the trypsin-inhibitory capacity TIC/alpha 1PI ratio is significantly greater in patients with emphysema than in non-emphysematous subjects. PIC/alpha 1PI ratios that are greater than 1 demonstrate the existence of additional antiproteases in the lower respiratory tract.