Serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in cigarette smokers

Low activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has been reported in patients with smoking related diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysaema and carcinoma of the lung [1] but this has not been reported in healthy, chronic smokers. Serum ACE was measured in 40 healthy cigarette smokers and in 42 healthy non-smokers. The mean value was significantly lower in the smokers. Hence a non-smokers. The mean value was significantly lower in the smokers. Hence a patient's smoking habits should be taken into consideration when assessing the significance of his serum ACE levels.