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Concentrations of complement components C3 and C4, alpha-1-antitrypsin and hsCRP in healthy non- smokers, smokers and COPD patients

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease characterized by limitations in lung airflow that is not fully reversible. Although the pathophysiology of COPD is not understood completely, it is well known that various cells in the lungs are releasing inflammatory mediators. The complement is involved in cell lysis, opsonization, degranulation of mastocytes and chemotaxis and contributes to other inflammatory processes. Complement is probably activated in COPD and the extent of activation is related to disease severity. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is an acute phase protein synthesized in hepatocytes, alveolar macrophages and monocites. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a protease inhibitor, the inhibition of neutrophil elastase related from inflammatory cells, is required for the prevention of proteolytic tissu damage in lung. Deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin contribute to the pathogenesis of COPD. hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) is an acute phase protein elevated in inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations complement components C3 and C4, alpha-1- antitrypsin and hsCRP in healthy non-smokers, healthy smokers and patients with COPD. All analytes were measured in healthy non-smokers (n=23, control group), healthy smokers (n= 30) and COPD patients (n=30) nephelometrically. The concentration of hsCRP was significantly higher in patients with COPD than in the control group (p=0.0004) but the concentrations of alpha-1- antitrypsin (p=0.0547), C3 (p=0.2572) and C4 (p=0.1262) were not statistically different. No significant difference for the measured analytes was found between smokers vs. control group. hsCRP was higher in COPD patients, which is in agreement with the fact that COPD is an inflammatory disease. hsCRP proved to be a more sensitive diagnostic parameter than C3, C4 and alpha-1-antitrypsin in the systemic circulation in patients with COPD as a marker of systemic disease.

COPD; Alpha-1-antitrypsin; hsCRP; C3; C4

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