Quantitation of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid of horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The researchers investigated the levels of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (API) in horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), comparing API concentrations in these horses during symptomatic and asymptomatic periods.

Research Objective

• The objective of this research was to measure how the concentration of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (API), a prominent protein in the body that inhibits the function of certain enzymes, changes in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) of horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during periods of clinical symptoms and periods without symptoms.

Methodology

• The researchers collected samples of PELF from horses during active COPD symptomatology, and then again when the horses were not displaying symptoms.
• They then evaluated and compared the concentrations of three elements – total protein, albumin, and API in each of the samples,

Findings

• The researchers found that the concentrations of total protein, albumin and, notably, API, were significantly higher in the PELF of horses during periods when they were exhibiting clinical signs of COPD.
• Moreover, they discovered a correlation between the levels of albumin and API in the PELF, leading them to theorize that most of the API in the PELF was derived from the serum, or the fluid part of the blood where proteins are typically found.

Implications

• This research provides important insights into the potential physiological changes that occur in horses suffering from COPD during symptomatic periods.
• By indicating that the concentration of API increases in PELF during periods of COPD symptomatology, the study lays a foundation for further research into the role of API in COPD in horses.
• The discovery of the correlation between API and albumin could point to a systemic inflammatory response, as these proteins are both released into the blood during inflammation, giving rise to further exploration of the disease’s processes.