Antileukoprotease in patients with maxillary sinusitis

Antileukoprotease, an inhibitor of leukocyte elastase, was studied in paired sera from 12 patients with maxillary sinusitis. The serum concentration of antileukoprotease was increased at the day of admission to hospital, compared with the serum concentration in convalescence sera. In purulent maxillary sinus secretions antileukoprotease was found in complex with leukocyte elastase, as shown by gel filtration. The findings suggest a local protective function of antileukoprotease in maxillary sinus.