Figure 2: Photomicrographs showing cytochemical localization of high level of elastase enzyme in sputum neutrophils (a) and alveolar macrophages (b) of As-exposed women. In some exposed subjects, the enzyme was released from the cells into the surrounding medium (c) that may lead to tissue injury. The quantitative study showed 58% increase in the enzyme level in neutrophils of As-exposed women (1.97 ± 0.52 μg/ml vs. 1.25 ± 0.31 μg/ml in control, p<0.05). Elastase cytochemistry, original magnification 1000x.