[Diseases associated with chronic bronchopathies and plasma alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (author's transl)]

Two groups of patients were selected according to their plasma levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency from among 58 patients with a chronic bronchopathy. Group I had normal plasma levels of alpha-1-antytrypsin; group II had plasma values lower than normal. The pathologic conditions associated with chronic bronchopathies were studied in both groups and so were the gasometric characteristics of the same. Chronic bronchopathies in subjects belonging to group II showed a clear tendency to present normal levels of pCO2 and hydrogen ions possibly related to a greater bronchial impairment in these patients. Independently of the genetic characteristics of plasma alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, its general levels are the real indication of its possible etiopathogenic action. Patients with recurrent plasma alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, its general levels are the real indication of its possible etiopathogenic action. Patients with recurrent plasma alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency are more susceptible to bacterial infections, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, and allergic states. All this would be related to the protective effect of this protein fraction, and its reduction according to the most recognized theories would decrease the resistance of hepatic and pancreatic cells.