Comparison of haem oxygenase (HO)-2-, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)- and nitrotyrosine (NTyr)-positive cells in the alveolar wall in the two groups of subjects
| Severe COPD | Control smokers | |
| HO-2+ cells·mm−1 of alveolar wall | 18.0* (12.7–22.8) | 11.3 (10.6–12.2) |
| iNOS+ cells·mm−1 of alveolar wall | 13.9** (11.4–19.2) | 4.2 (2.3–5.9) |
| N-Tyr+ cells·mm−1 of alveolar wall | 26.4 (11.2–42.2) | 8.5 (4.6–21.0) |
Values are expressed as medians (interquartile range)
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
*: p<0.01
**: p<0.001 versus control smokers