ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the apoptosis of alveolar macrophage and its significance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 11 patients with COPD and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Alveolar macrophages (AM) were harvested from the BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). The positive rate of myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining of alveolar macrophages by MPO staining was observed so as to indirectly reflect neutrophil apoptosis and the phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages. Apoptosis were detected by the transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Results The positive rate of alveolar macrophages by MPO staining was lower in COPD group than the control group (P
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a noninflammatory diffuse lung disease, characterized by a dense accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material within the alveoli, causing hypoxemia, restrictive lung disease, and abnormalities on chest radiograph. The etiology of PAP is uncertain and various forms, including idiopathic and disease secondary to dust or fume exposure. Bronchopulmonary lavage (BPL) is a safe and effective treatment in PAP, and a unique procedure which requires general anesthesia and separation of the lung with a double lumen endobronchial tube. We experienced anesthetic management of BPL for the successful treatment of a 33 years old female patient with PAP.