OBJECTIVES: A prospective study was performed to find out the correlation between neutrophil, eosinophil and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP)-the granular protein in eosinophil- and smoking history and pulmonary function change, METHODS: In this study there were seventy smokers and seventy lifetime nonsmokers. None of them had the history of atopy, or the evidence of parasitic infestation. Smoking history, spirometric pulmonary function test and blood samples for CBC, serum ECP were analyzed. RESULTS: 1) Eosinophil and neutophil count was elevated in the smokers compared with the nonsmokers. 2) Serum ECP was elevated in smokers and the magnitude of this increase was greater than that of eosinophil count. 3) In the smokers, there was a direct proportional correlation between serum ECP and FEV1, but inverse proportional correlation between neutophil count and FEV. 4) In the smokers, neutrophil count was elevated regardless of FEV value. 5) The level of serum ECP well correlated with the daily tobacco consumption but not with the duration of smoking or pack-year consumption. CONCLUSION: Incresed neutrophil count, decreased eosinophil count and decreased serum ECP level could be useful in the understanding of pathophysiology of lung parenchymal destruction in smokers.
Eosinophil Cationic Protein* ; Eosinophils* ; Lung ; Neutrophils* ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Use

BACKGROUND: Measurement of pleural fluid constituents are of value in the diagnosis of pleural effusions and in the seperation of exudates from transudates. The position of the patient (sitting or lying) prior to thoracentesis may result in difference in the measurement of these constituents. The purpose of this study is to determine whether postural differences in pleural fluid constituents exist, and if so, whether they are of any clinical significance. METHOD: 41 patients with pleural effusions on chest roentgenography were prospectively studied. The fluid cell counts, partial gas tension, and concentrations of chemical constituents were compared in the supine and upright positions. RESULTS: 1) A total of 10 patients were found to have an transudative effusion. In the transudates there was no significant difference in pleural fluid constituents according to posture change. 2) A total of 31 patients were found to have an exudative effusion. Statistically significant postural changes were noted in pH, WBC counts, protein, and LDH concentrations in the exudates. It may be due to postural sedimentary effect in the pleural space. 3) The PC02 measurements and glucose concentration were not affected by changes in position in exudates or transudates. CONCLUSION: Postural sedimentary effect occurs in the pleural space with reference to the measurement of certain pleural fluid constituents when an inflammatory process is present. Therefore it is recommended that thoracentesis after 30 minutes in the sitting position should be performed.
Cell Count ; Diagnosis ; Exudates and Transudates ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Pleural Effusion ; Posture ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Thorax