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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the relationship between alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and COPD?

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    Dr Peter Solin

    Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Physician

    Dr Peter Solin is a highly trained authority in sleep disorders medicine and respiratory medicine, having graduated from Melbourne University in 1987 and undertaken specialist … View Profile

    Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a funny name, but it relates to a specific protein in the blood which helps to repair damaged tissue. There's a genetic condition whereby alpha-1 antitrypsin is deficient in people, and in that situation there's accelerated aging of the lungs. Accelerated aging of the lungs means the lungs don't work as well and the lungs can have premature emphysema and airway obstructions. Therefore, that leads to COPD.

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