Expression of Egr-1 in late stage emphysema.

The transcription factor early growth response (Egr)-1 is an immediate-early gene product rapidly and transiently expressed after acute tissue injury. In contrast, in this report we demonstrate that lung tissue from patients undergoing lung reduction surgery for advanced emphysema, without clinical or anatomical evidence of acute infection, displays a selective and apparently sustained increase in Egr-1 transcripts and antigen, compared with a broad survey of other genes, including the transcription factor Sp1, whose levels were not significantly altered. Enhanced Egr-1 expression was especially evident in smooth muscle cells of bronchial and vascular walls, in alveolar macrophages, and some vascular endothelium. Gel shift analysis with (32)P-labeled Egr probe showed a band with nuclear extracts from emphysematous lung which was supershifted with antibody to Egr-1. Egr-1 has the capacity to regulate genes relevant to the pathophysiology of emphysema, namely those related to extracellular matrix formation and remodeling, thrombogenesis, and those encoding cytokines/chemokines and growth factors. Thus, we propose that further analysis of Egr-1, which appears to be up-regulated in a sustained fashion in patients with late stage emphysema, may provide insights into the pathogenesis of this destructive pulmonary disease, as well as a new facet in the biology of Egr-1.

Nitrogen and energy relationships in malnourished patients with emphysema.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of nutritional support on nitrogen-energy relationships and functional parameters in malnourished patients with emphysema. Malnourished patients without lung disease served as the control group. Ten ambulatory, stable patients with emphysema and six patients without lung disease received an infusion of 5% dextrose (baseline) plus electrolytes (D5W) for two days, which was followed by an enteral or a parenteral infusion of either a carbohydrate-based (CB, 53% carbohydrate) or a fat-based diet (FB, 55% fat) for 1 wk each, in a randomized cross-over design. All patients had greater than 10% weight loss. Caloric intake was set at 1.7 times the resting energy expenditure (REE) as measured during the baseline period. The REE of patients with emphysema was 23 and 27% above that of the control group during baseline and refeeding periods, respectively. The increased REE was met primarily by an increased carbohydrate oxidation. During the infusion of D5W, N balance was lower in patients with emphysema, but during repletion N balance was similar in both groups of patients. Two weeks of nutritional support with either a CB or a FB diet increased body weight, N balance, and arm muscle area and improved maximal inspiratory pressure, skeletal muscle strength, and endurance-strength (using quadriceps, hamstring, and handgrip) to a similar degree in malnourished patients with and without lung disease. In other stress states, such as infection, it has been shown that hypermetabolism, hypercatabolism, and preferential fat oxidation occur concomitantly. Patients with emphysema are unusual because, although they are hypermetabolic, they are not hypercatabolic and do not demonstrate preferential fat oxidation.

Diffuse intrapulmonary hemorrhage, renal failure and a systemic vasculitis. A case report and review of the literature.

A 63 year old women was hospitalized with massive hemoptysis, anemia and renal failure. Despite intensive supportive care, she died soon after admission. Autopsy revealed diffuse necrotizing alveolitis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and a systemic vasculitis. Massive intrapulmonary hemorrhage with hemoptysis is an unusual complication of a systemic vasculitis. The case is discussed and the literature reviewed.