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The potential role of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in coronavirus disease 2019
Zhe Zhu1,2, Ting Cai2,3, Lingyan Fan2,4
1Department of Blood Transfusion, HwaMei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, P.R. China.
Insights
Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity is a potential marker for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Lower ACE activity at baseline indicates more severe COVID-19, with activity increasing as the disease remits.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Virology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Investigating the clinical significance of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Understanding the role of ACE in COVID-19 pathogenesis and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the clinical significance of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in patients with COVID-19.
- To determine if serum ACE activity can serve as a biomarker for COVID-19 severity and recovery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 136 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19.
- Measurement of serum ACE activity at baseline and during recovery.
- Analysis of the relationship between serum ACE activity and clinical condition, including severity and demographic factors.
Main Results:
- Severe COVID-19 patients were older, with higher BMI and hypertension rates compared to non-severe patients.
- Baseline serum ACE activity was decreased in both severe and non-severe COVID-19 groups compared to controls, with the lowest levels in the severe group.
- Serum ACE activity increased during the recovery phase, showing no significant differences among groups by then.
Conclusions:
- Serum ACE activity is a potential marker for reflecting the clinical condition of COVID-19.
- Low baseline serum ACE activity is associated with COVID-19 severity.
- Increasing serum ACE activity correlates with disease remission.
Background:
To explore the clinical significance of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods:
In this retrospective study, a total of 136 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. The serum ACE activity was measured at baseline and during the recovery phase, and its relationship with clinical condition was analyzed.
Results:
Of the 136 patients with confirmed COVID-19, the 16 severe patients were older and had a higher body mass index (BMI) and proportion of hypertension than the 120 nonsevere patients. In comparison to those of normal controls, the baseline serum ACE activities of subjects in the severe group and nonsevere group were decreased, with the lowest level in the severe group. However, the serum ACE activity increased in the recovery phase, and there were no significant differences among the severe group, nonsevere group and normal control group.
Conclusion:
Serum ACE activity could be used as a marker to reflect the clinical condition of COVID-19 since low activity was associated with the severity of COVID-19 at baseline, and the activity increased with the remission of the disease.
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