Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
10:00
Use of Enzymatic Biosensors to Quantify Endogenous ATP or H2O2 in the Kidney
Published on: October 12, 2015
12.3K
Interference-Free Measurement of Urinary Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Activity: Diagnostic and Therapeutic
Attila Ádám Szabó1,2, Enikő Edit Enyedi1,2, Tamás Bence Pintér1,2
1Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Biomedicines
|October 29, 2025
Summary
A new, rapid assay allows accurate measurement of urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme (uACE) activity. This method overcomes previous limitations and enables uACE to serve as a practical biomarker for cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme (uACE) activity is a potential biomarker for kidney and cardiovascular diseases.
- Clinical use is hindered by endogenous inhibitors and complex assays.
- This study aimed to develop a simpler, reproducible uACE assay and identify inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a fast and reproducible method for measuring uACE activity.
- To identify endogenous urinary inhibitors of uACE.
- To define practical preanalytical conditions for routine laboratory use.
Main Methods:
- Optimized a fluorescence-based kinetic assay for urine samples.
- Isolated and characterized endogenous inhibitors using membrane filtration.
- Evaluated sample dilution as a method to overcome inhibition.
- Assessed uACE activity stability under various storage conditions.
Main Results:
- Urea, uric acid, and urobilinogen were identified as major reversible inhibitors.
- A 128-fold dilution effectively eliminated inhibitory effects.
- uACE activity was stable at 25 °C for 24 hours but lost upon freezing.
- Normalized uACE activity (uACE/creatinine) was significantly lower in patients on ACE inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Accurate uACE activity measurement is feasible with a rapid dilution-based protocol.
- Normalized uACE activity is a practical biomarker for detecting ACE inhibition and monitoring therapy.
- This biomarker may offer insights into renal pathophysiology, including tubular injury.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
2.3K
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
2.3K
01:25Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
1.3K
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...
1.3K
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
415
Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
415
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
256
Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
256
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
915
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
915
01:30Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
2.4K
In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
2.4K