[Efficiency of endobronchial laser therapy in patients with chronic bronchitis]

Clinical effectiveness of endobronchial laser therapy (EBLT) was studied in 18-56-year-old patients with chronic bronchitis (CB) running for 2-18 years. A parallel luminescent and histochemical tests measured histamine, serotonin and catecholamines in bronchial mucosa. It was found that alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes and mucus of CB patients contain significantly higher amounts of histamine and serotonin though low amounts of catecholamines than those of healthy subjects. Levels of monoamines in alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast and APUD cells, mucus in of CB patients correlated with the disease phase, duration, features of endobronchitis, bronchial obstruction and severity of respiratory insufficiency. EBLT produced a positive effect on CB course and bronchial mucosa bioamines. It was superior to conventional therapy in lowering of histamine and serotonin in alveolar macrophages, lymphocytes and mucus as well as in raising catecholamines.