[Bradykinin level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis].

The presence of kinins in the tracheobronchial tree and their pharmacological properties would suggest that these peptides are involved in inflammatory responses of the airway and lungs. The aim of the study was the estimation the bradykinin level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) in patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The investigated group consisted of 12 patients with farmers lung and a control group, of 9 healthy individuals. The statistically significant higher bradykinin concentration was found in patients BAL fluid than in the controls (675 +/- 472 pg/ml v.s., 220 +/- 57 pg/ml). No relationship was found between bradykinin level and BAL fluid cellularity and pulmonary function parameters. High levels of bradykinin in BAL fluid may suggest the increase of alveolo-capillary membrane permeability.