Peptidase activities in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from allergic asthmatics — comparison with healthy non‐smokers and smokers and effects of inhaled glucocorticoids

Background Neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma by evoking neurogenic inflammation. Since the effects of neuropeptides are limited by peptidases, reduced activity of peptidases may contribute to the inflammatory process. Objective We hypothesized that soluble peptidase acti…