[Evaluation of desmosine excretion in urine and activity of elastase in neutrophils of patients with pulmonary emphysema].

In 78 patients with pulmonary emphysema (49 smokers, 29 nonsmokers) urinary desmosine excretion (UDE) and neutrophil elastase activity (NE) were evaluated. UDE and NE were similar in smokers and nonsmokers and significantly higher than in age, sex-matched control groups. UDE correlated better with NE in nonsmokers than in smokers. Cigarette smoking did not effect UDE in patients with pulmonary emphysema. Obtained results indicate, that UDE measurement could be used in diagnosis and monitoring of lung elastolysis in pulmonary emphysema and suggest the key role of neutrophil elastase in pathogenesis of this disorder.