Journal of Applied Physiology Watch the video to see how APS reaches out to developing nations.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 78: 53-58, 1995;
8750-7587/95 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Zay, K.
Right arrow Articles by Churg, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Zay, K.
Right arrow Articles by Churg, A.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 78, Issue 1 53-58, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Quartz inactivates alpha 1-antiproteinase: possible role in mineral dust-induced emphysema

K. Zay, D. Devine and A. Churg
Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Occupational exposure to some types of mineral particles has been shown to be associated with the development of emphysema, but the mechanism of this process is unknown. Because many mineral particles are known to catalyze the formation of active oxygen species in aqueous solution, we hypothesized that mineral particles could oxidatively inactive antiproteinases, leading to an imbalance between protease and antiprotease activities, events similar to those believed to occur with cigarette smoke. To test this hypothesis, human alpha 1-antiproteinase (alpha 1-AP) was incubated with suspensions of freshly ground or aged quartz, and antiproteolytic activity was determined by using porcine pancreatic elastase. Increasing concentrations of quartz were associated with increasing losses of antiproteolytic activity; this effect could be prevented by catalase. Freshly ground quartz was more active than aged quartz. Western blot analysis for alpha 1-AP showed abnormal banding, suggesting that porcine pancreatic elastase-alpha 1-AP complex formation was impaired by silica exposure. Chemical assay of aqueous quartz suspensions demonstrated production of hydrogen peroxide; incubation of alpha 1-AP with hydrogen peroxide caused a dose-dependent loss of antiproteolytic activity, and this also could be prevented by catalase. We conclude that, at least in vitro, quartz can inactivate alpha 1-AP through a hydrogen peroxide-mediated mechanism and that oxidative loss of antiproteinase activity could play a role in mineral dust-induced emphysema.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 CJASNHome page
R. A.F. de Lind van Wijngaarden, L. van Rijn, E. C. Hagen, R. A. Watts, G. Gregorini, J. W. C. Tervaert, A. D. Mahr, J. L. Niles, E. de Heer, J. A. Bruijn, et al.
Hypotheses on the Etiology of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody Associated Vasculitis: The Cause Is Hidden, but the Result Is Known
Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., January 1, 2008; 3(1): 237 - 252.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Toxicol SciHome page
A. Deshpande, P. K. Narayanan, and B. E. Lehnert
Silica-Induced Generation of Extracellular Factor(s) Increases Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Toxicol. Sci., June 1, 2002; 67(2): 275 - 283.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
K. Zay, S. Loo, C. Xie, D. V. Devine, J. Wright, and A. Churg
Role of neutrophils and alpha 1-antitrypsin in coal- and silica-induced connective tissue breakdown
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, February 1, 1999; 276(2): L269 - L279.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online