[The changes in serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and their relationships to pulmonary failure in experimental...

The correlation of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (SACE), PaO2 and pulmonary coefficient in rabbit model of multiple system organ failure (MOF). 16 rabbits were fed E coli (0.5-3.0 x 10(11)/kg B.W.) by gastrogavage, were induced hemorrhagic shock (5.33 kPa arterial pressure for an hour) and were rapidly reinfused with shed blood and dextran. According to the criteria of pulmonary failure, that is respiratory rates greater than 100/min, PaO2 less than 8.00 kPa, pulmonary coefficient greater than 6.0, 8 rabbits developed pulmonary failure. They showed a significantly low SACE values, decreased PaO2 values and increased pulmonary coefficients, while in other 8 control animals the values of SACE and PaO2 did not significantly change.