THE ROLE OF ANGIOTENS IN CONVERTING ENZYME IN PULMONARY DISEASES

• Published in: Japanese Journal of National Medical Services Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 85 - 91
• Main Author: UEDA, Einosuke
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of National Medical Services 1993
• Subjects: angiotensin converting enzyme; pulmonary disease; sarcoidosis; serum ACE activity
• ISSN: 0021-1699; 1884-8729
• DOI: 10.11261/iryo1946.47.85

Activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is most prominent in pulmonary circulation under physiological condition. It has been confirmed that serum ACE activity is significantly elevated in active sarcoidosis patients, and that the measurement of serum ACE activity is useful in following the clinical course of the disease. The elevated serum ACE activities have been also reported in patients with active tuberculosis, leprosy, silicosis and schistosoma infection. All of these form granulomatous lesions. These pulmonary diseases except for sarcoidosis show only slight elevation of serum ACE levels. From the result of many reports, it may be concluded that the elevation of serum ACE activity is highly specific, less sensitive for the disease activity of sarcoidosis. On the contrary, low ACE activity is reported in patients with far advanced tuberculosis, chronic obstructive lung disease, spontaneous pneumothorax, pneumonia, lung cancer and ARDS. These diseases are considered to be related to decreased vascular bed space. Though low ACE activities have no meaning for the diagnostic tool, several fihdings suggest that monitoring serum ACE might prove useful as an indicator of endothelial cell integrity.