[Angiotensin I converting enzyme: what results from new findings]

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) participates not only in the regulation of the extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure but also in the control of proliferating processes in the human organism. The favourable effect of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of essential hypertension may be caused also by their antiproliferative effect. The development of essential hypertension is probably of polygenic origin. The gene for ACE, and its alleles encountered commonly in the population is involved in the pathophysiology of systemic hypertension by acting on the dynamic properties of processes in the organism which regulate changes of the extracellular fluid volume and proliferation. Therefore it is necessary, when treating systemic hypertension with ACE inhibitors, to pay attention to monitoring of the blood pressure and organ changes. The relationship with blood pressure assessed by conventional methods need not be close. The antiproliferative effect of ACE inhibitors may be favourable in the treatment of hypertension and its clinical use in oncology may be taken into consideration.