Alpha-2-macroglobulin levels in early respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

The vasoactive products of uncontrolled protease activity can play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome in newborn infants. In this study alpha-2-macroglobulin, which has antiproteolytic activity, was studied in the first few hours of life in preterm infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome. Mean plasma alpha-2-macroglobulin levels were found to be similar in both groups. These findings implicated that alpha-2-macroglobulin has no significant role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome.