hyperplasia/protease

Smoking is the largest risk factor for the development of COPD. It has been shown in patients with COPD that smoking induces airway inflammation characterized by bronchial infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells. In addition, smoking accelerates lung function loss and

1.1 Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem across the world and its medical, societal and economic impacts continue to grow. COPD is characterized by chronic obstruction of expiratory flow affecting peripheral airways, associated with chronic bronchitis