[Bronchoalveolar lavage in pneumoconiosis of coal miners. Biochemical aspects].

Broncho-alveolar lavage (LBA) was performed in 17 pneumoconiotics. The liquid obtained was analysed after gentle centrifugation to remove the cellular element, so that biochemical factors might be sought contribution to the evolution and progressive transformation to fibrosis. The percentage of liquid gathered was generally greater. Among the glycosidases found in all the 17 LBA analysed, the beta-D-glucuronidase, which was not detected in the LBA control subjects, was also found during the course of other pulmonary disorders. The elastolytic activity was characterized in 12 out of 17 LBA. In part it could originate from alveolar macrophages. An elevated number of macrophages (greater than 20 X 10(6) for the whole lavage) allied to the presence of elastolytic activity was found in 7 of 8 patients presenting with a pneumoconiosis and signs of progressive pulmonary disease. The collagenase and cathepsin B were present in the LBA of certain pneumoconiotics, but the significance of their presence is still unknown. The three major antiproteases of the serum exist in the LBA of pneumoconiosis. The quantity of alpha 1-antiprotease has identified a group of 6 patients whose LBA showed raised alpha 1-antiprotease, an elastolytic activity and for 5 of them progressive outcome.