[Inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes in the blood serum of patients with diphyllobothriasis]

Abstract

The proteinase inhibitors alpha 1-protease inhibitor (alpha 1-antitrypsin) and alpha 2-macroglobulin have been determined in 24 patients with diphyllobothriasis (D. latum and D. dendriticum), with their activity expressed in conventional units per ml serum inhibiting or binding the activity of 1 unit of trypsin, respectively. The specific activity of alpha 1-protease inhibitor and alpha 2-macroglobulin proved to be twice (46.2%) and thrice (32.7%) lower, respectively, despite a significant decrease in the total protein serum level. The ratio between these 2 parameters was 9.86 +/- 1.4, it being equal to 5.3 +/- 0.12 in the control. The authors believe that the reduced activity of alpha 1-protease inhibitor may be a protective response of the host to the invasion. Reduced activity is suggested to promote to chronic intestinal inflammation. Decreased activity of alpha 2-macroglobulin is accounted for by damages in its synthesis by monocyte-macrophage elements and probably by enhanced binding with proteinases of the parasite.