Evaluation of activity and phenotype of α1-antitrypsin in a civil population with respiratory complications following exposure to sulfur mustard 20 years ago.

Background and aims: The reduced α1-antitrypsin (AAT) activities of some phenotypes have been suggested as contributing to the development of respiratory diseases. Materials and methods: One hundred patients with respiratory disease following exposure to sulfur mustard were divided into two groups of 50 based on their respiratory symptoms and compared with a healthy control group. AAT phenotypes were determined in the plasma of all patient and control subjects by isoelectric focusing (IEF). Results: Mean AAT activities in patient and control groups were 3.4 ± 0.3 and 4.2 ± 0.1 μmol min⁻¹ ml⁻¹, respectively ( p < 0.001). No phenotypic alterations were detected. Conclusions: The difference in the clinical pulmonary symptoms of the two groups was attributed to reduced AAT activity, but this was not manifested as phenotypic changes identifiable by IEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]