Erdosteine protection from cigarette smoke-induced loss of alpha 1-antitrypsin activity in rat lungs.

Acute inhalation of cigarette smoke induced alpha 1-antitrypsin inactivation in rat lungs. The elastase inhibitory capacity of the protein could be prevented by oral treatment with erdosteine (a mucoregulator endowed with free radical scavenging properties). A partial dose-dependent protection was observed with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg. The mechanism of its action might be related either to the inhibition of alpha 1-antitrypsin oxidation manifested by two SH groups liberated in vivo or to the anti-inflammatory and mucoregulator properties present in the substance.