Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in Iranian Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disease which affects both lung and liver. This disease is a recognized factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However its importance as the cause of COPD in a country such as Iran is unclear. OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to find out the role of α-1 antitrypsin deficiency as a cause of COPD in Iranian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The serum concentration of α-1 antitrypsin was determined and the genotype of α-1 antitrypsin was also evaluated by PCR-RFLP in 130 patients with COPD and 50 normal healthy blood donors. RESULTS No α-1 antitrypsin deficient case was found in normal healthy people and COPD patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results clarify that deficiency of α-antitrypsin is not a major cause of COPD in Iranian patients.