alpha-antitrypsin

alpha-antitrypsin

A glycoprotein in the serum which can inactivate protein-splitting enzymes such a TRYPSIN, elastase and collagenase. A HOMOZYGOUS hereditary deficiency of alpha-antitrypsin can cause liver disease in infancy and childhood and, rarely CIRRHOSIS of the liver and emphysema in adults.
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
Mentioned in ?
References in periodicals archive ?
Faecal clearance of [alpha.sub.1]-antitrypsin is an inexpensive and quite reliable test of PLE, and is measured by determining stool volume and both stool and plasma alpha-antitrypsin concentrations.
Protein-losing enteropathy demonstrated on Tc-99m HSA
About one in 50 Americans are unable to pass along the gene that produces the protecting protein, alpha-antitrypsin, to their children.
Genetic therapy for hereditary emphysema
they have demonstrated that chemicals called oxidants, contained in cigarette smoke, can inactivate alpha-antitrypsin in the lung.
Emphysema

Medical browser ?
Full browser ?