Levels of amino acids and related compounds in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of asthmatic patients.

The constituents of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid have been shown to reflect the presence and possible etiology of several pulmonary diseases. Presently, although research studies have reported the concentrations of cytokines and compounds such as major basic protein in BAL fluids, only the cellular elements, total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulins have been well defined. We hypothesize that amino acids and related amino compounds, well known participants in physiologic and biochemical processes, are present in BAL fluid and may have involvement in asthma. Our objective was to extend knowledge of the total chemical profile and clinical value of BAL fluids in humans by measuring these amino compounds in normal control subjects and asthmatic patients. Analysis by high-pressure liquid chromatography revealed the presence of 25 compounds. A few compounds in control subjects and patients were found to have values > 1.0 nmol/ml, while the majority were present in comparatively low concentrations < 1.0 nmol/ml. Asparagine, phosphoethanolamine, and taurine were significantly increased in the asthmatic patients. We conclude that the present profile of amino acids and related amino compounds in BAL fluid serves as a potential diagnostic tool in the study of various pulmonary disorders. The significance of increased asparagine, phosphoethanolamine, and taurine in the asthmatic patients is discussed and deserves further study.

[1]  D. Yates,et al.  Inhaled glucocorticoids decrease nitric oxide in exhaled air of asthmatic patients. , 1996, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[2]  T. Itoh,et al.  Protective effect of cystathionine on acute gastric mucosal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats. , 1995, European journal of pharmacology.

[3]  S. Peters,et al.  Pulmonary inflammation after segmental ragweed challenge in allergic asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects. , 1995, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[4]  S. Peters,et al.  sVCAM-1 levels after segmental antigen challenge correlate with eosinophil influx, IL-4 and IL-5 production, and the late phase response. , 1995, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[5]  P. Howarth,et al.  Mucosal inflammation and asthma. , 1994, American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine.

[6]  S. Moncada,et al.  The L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway. , 1993, The New England journal of medicine.

[7]  R J Huxtable,et al.  Physiological actions of taurine. , 1992, Physiological reviews.

[8]  E. Block,et al.  Clinical role of bronchoalveolar lavage in adults with pulmonary disease. , 1990, The American review of respiratory disease.

[9]  R. S. Sacher,et al.  The nutritional status in advanced emphysema associated with chronic bronchitis. A study of amino acid and catecholamine levels. , 1990, The American review of respiratory disease.

[10]  F. Fonnum,et al.  Amino acids as modulators of cholinergic nerves in airways. , 1990, Agents and actions. Supplements.

[11]  D. Hughes,et al.  Immunoregulatory properties of pulmonary surfactant: influence of variations in the phospholipid profile. , 1988, Clinical and experimental immunology.

[12]  W. Vogel,et al.  Comparison of amino acid levels in rat blood obtained by catheterization and decapitation. , 1984, Life sciences.

[13]  A. Cooper.  Biochemistry of sulfur-containing amino acids. , 1983, Annual review of biochemistry.

[14]  J. Bligh.  Amino acids as central synaptic transmitters or modulators in mammalian thermoregulation. , 1981, Federation proceedings.

[15]  E. Reynolds,et al.  Permeability of lung capillaries and alveoli to non‐electrolytes in the foetal lamb. With an Appendix , 1971, The Journal of physiology.

[16]  E. Reynolds,et al.  Pulmonary lymph flow and the uptake of liquid from the lungs of the lamb at the start of breathing , 1967, The Journal of physiology.