The Biochemical Basis of Emphysema: the Oxidant Effect of Cigarette Smoke?
Authors: PHILIP KIMBEL
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1980)

Editorial Notes1 April 1980The Biochemical Basis of Emphysema: the Oxidant Effect of Cigarette Smoke?PHILIP KIMBEL, M.D., FRIEDRICH KUEPPERS, M.D.PHILIP KIMBEL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, FRIEDRICH KUEPPERS, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-92-4-564 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptMajor advances in medicine are marked by the unraveling of the biochemical mechanisms of important diseases. Such an advance now seems near for pulmonary emphysema. Current research was stimulated by the discovery and description of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema, a genetically determined disease (1), and the development of animal models of emphysema induced by proteases from neutrophil granulocytes (2). These observations have led to the hypothesis that emphysema results from degradation of lung elastin, an important connective tissue component of pulmonary parenchyma. The elastolysis is in turn produced by an imbalance in the lungs between elastase and its inhibitors when elastase...References1. LAURELLERIKSSON CS. The electrophoretic alpha1-globulin pattern of serum in alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1963;15:132-40. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. MASSIKEDAMERANZEWEINBAUMKIMBEL BTDGP. Induction of experimental emphysema: cellular and species specificity. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1972;106:384-91. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. KUHNYUCHRAPLYVYLINDERSENIOR CSMHR. The induction of emphysema with elastase. II: Changes in connective tissue. Lab Invest. 1976;34:372-80. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. RODRIGUEZWHITESENIORLEVINE RRRE. Elastase release from human alveolar macrophages: comparison between smokers and nonsmokers. Science. 1977; 198:313-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. JANOFFCARPLEE AHD. Cigarette smoke inhalation decreases α1-antitrypsin activity in rat lung. Science. 1979;206:1313-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. GADEKFELLSCRYSTAL JGR. Cigarette smoking induces functional antiprotease deficiency in the lower respiratory tract of humans. Science. 1979;206:1315-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. CARPJANOFF HA. Possible mechanisms of emphysema in smokers: in virtro suppression of serum elastase inhibitory capacity by fresh cigarette smoke and its prevention by antioxidants. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1978;118:617-21. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. NIEWOEHNERKLEINERMANRICE DJD. Pathologic changes in the peripheral airways of young cigarette smokers. N Engl J Med. 1974;291:755-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. BLUEJANOFF MA. Possible mechanisms of emphysema in cigarette smokers: release of elastase from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cigarette smoke condensate in vitro. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1978;117:317-25. MedlineGoogle Scholar10. KITIGAWATAKAKUSAKAMOTO SFS. Evidence that proteases are involved in superoxide production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes. J Clin Invest. 1980;65:74-81. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. KUEPPERSBLACK FL. Alpha1-antitrypsin and its deficiency. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1974; 110:176-94. MedlineGoogle Scholar12. LAMABBOUDCHAN-YEUNGRUSHTON SRMJ. Neutrophil elastase and pulmonary function in subjects with intermediate alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (MZ phenotype) Am Rev Respir Dis. 1979;119:941-51. MedlineGoogle Scholar13. ELIRAZABRAMSMERANZEKIMBELWEINBAUM AWDPG. Development of an animal model of functional alpha1-antiprotease deficiency. Chest. In press. Google Scholar14. GALDSTONJANOFFDAVIS MAA. Familial variation of leukocytic lysosomal protease and serum α1-antitrypsin as determinants in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1973;107:718-27. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: PHILIP KIMBEL, M.D.; FRIEDRICH KUEPPERS, M.D.Affiliations: Pulmonary Division Temple University School of Medicine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited bySurgical pathology of bullae with and without pneumothoraxMeasuring Protease InhibitionLeukocyte count, smoking, and lung functionMutation of Antitrypsin to AntithrombinLocalization of Emphysema within the LungBlood Elastolytic Activity in Patients with Aortic AneurysmMedical problems associated with tobacco smoking 1 April 1980Volume 92, Issue 4Page: 564-566KeywordsAnimal modelsAnimal models of infectionConnective tissueEmphysemaGenetic diseasesGranulocytesLungsNeutrophilsProteases ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 April 1980 PDF downloadLoading ...