Elevation of surfactant protein A in plasma and sputum in cigarette smokers.

Abstract

Serum surfactant protein (SP)-A has been postulated to associate with pulmonary fibrosis, but its role in cigarette smoking-related lung diseases is undefined. SP-A levels in plasma and induced sputum in nonsmokers, smokers with respiratory symptoms (cough and/or phlegm) and symptom-free smokers were assessed using a validated EIA method. A total of 474 current smokers without any diseases or medications were enrolled and followed for 2 yrs with 111 of them succeeding in stopping. Plasma SP-A level was detectable in all subjects and elevated in smokers independently of the symptoms compared to nonsmokers (p = 0.001). After 2 yrs of follow-up, the SP-A level was higher in those who continued smoking compared to the quitters (p<0.001). Plasma SP-A levels were associated with age, smoking history and lung function. Sputum (n = 109) SP-A was nondetectable in most nonsmokers, whereas smoking and symptoms increased sputum SP-A highly significantly (p = 0.001). In conclusion, SP-A may be involved in pathogenesis of cigarette smoking-related lung diseases. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of SP-A in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• Authors: W Mazur, T Toljamo, S Ohlmeier, K Vuopala, P Nieminen, H Kobayashi, V L Kinnula
• Journal: The European respiratory journal (Eur Respir J) Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 277-84 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1399-3003 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21273386 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A

Topics

• Age Factors
• Aged
• Cough (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Lung (physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A (blood)
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Smoking (blood)
• Smoking Cessation
• Sputum (chemistry)