Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Vol 155, No. 2, Feb 1997, 432-435.
Levels of amino acids and related compounds in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of asthmatic patients
JM Hofford, L Milakofsky, S Pell, JE Fish, SP Peters, M Pollice and WH Vogel
Department of Pharmacology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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.
