Synergistic inactivation of plasma α₁-proteinase inhibitor by aldehydes of cigarette smoke with styrene oxide and 1,2-dichloroethane

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that α₁proteinase inhibitor (α₁-PI) can be inactivated by aldehydes found in the cigarette smoke as well as by industrial chemicals. Studies presented here demonstrate the synergistic inactivation of α₁-PI by styrene oxide or 1,2-dichloroethane when mixed with acrolein or pyruvic aldehyde and vice-versa. The data suggest that smokers exposed to chemicals in industry may be more prone to lung emphysema due to synergistic inactivation of α₁-PI by chemicals and cigarette smoke components.