[Clinical value of the estimation of plasma converting enzyme activity]

Plasma angiotensin I-converting enzyme "activity" (CEA) was estimated as its enzymatic effect on the synthetic substrate HHL in normal subjects and patients with untreated sarcoidosis, alcoholic decompensated liver cirrhosis and scleroderma. CEA was above the upper limit of normal in 60% of sarcoidosis cases and 30% of cirrhotics; it was within normal in scleroderma. The assessment of the influence of chloride concentration on CEA showed that maximum was obtained for a concentration of 300 mM. In addition the inhibitory effect of angiotensin I and the converting enzyme inhibitors SQ 14225 and MK 422 was demonstrated together with the action of high concentrations of penicillamine. The inhibitory influence of these substances was similar when added to the plasma of normal or sarcoidosis subjects.