[Levels of endothelin-I in bronchoalveolar fluid of patients with selected respiratory tract diseases].

UNLABELLED

Endothelin-I (ET-I) levels in BALF of symptomatic (n = 7) and asymptomatic (n = 10) asthmatic patients, sarcoidosis (n = 10), allergic alveolitis (n = 6) and healthy volunteers (n = 6) was evaluated. In all patients BALF level of endothelin-I was assessed by radioimmunoassay. We observed that patients with symptomatic asthma had more increased amounts of ET-I in BALF in comparison with asymptomatic asthmatics, patients with sarcoidosis, allergic alveolitis and control group.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Presence of ET-I in BALF indicates that this peptide is involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, sarcoidosis and allergic alveolitis. 2. Endothelin-I is involved in bronchial smooth muscle contraction.