[Effect of smoking on pulmonary glycoprotein metabolism and phospholipid content]

We investigated the influence of smoking on the cell count, proteins and phospholipids in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 371 patients. In the case of smokers, the cell count and the content of N-acetylglucosaminidase-an enzyme involved in glycoprotein metabolism were elevated. In contrast, the concentrations of protein, alpha amylase and phospholipids were lower than in the nonsmokers. The figures for ex-smokers were, for the most part, similar to those of the non-smokers.