Abstract
Summary
A γ-glutamyl transpeptidase capable of transferring the γ-glutamyl group from γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide to glycylgly-cine has been found to be present at low levels in bronchial secretions from normal subjects and at much higher levels in purulent sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis.
This enzyme is concentrated in the bronchial mucosa where, in the absence of insult, it normally remains bound. Its presence at high levels in purulent sputum suggests that it will serve as a marker for assessing the existing level of destruction and shedding of airway epithelium into the bronchial secretions in patients with chronic bronchitis.
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