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Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in silicosis
European Journal of Respiratory Diseases
|October 1, 1984
Summary
Serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) levels are often elevated in silicosis patients compared to healthy individuals. However, ACE levels do not provide additional diagnostic information for evaluating the severity of this lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust.
- Elevated serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) levels have been observed in various fibrotic lung conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum ACE levels and silicosis.
- To determine if serum ACE levels correlate with disease severity or other clinical factors in silicosis patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum ACE levels were measured in 76 male patients diagnosed with silicosis.
- Chest X-rays and respiratory function tests were performed on the patients.
- Serum ACE levels were compared to those of 30 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Mean serum ACE levels were significantly higher in silicosis patients (129.8 +/- 4 U/ml) than in healthy controls (92.4 +/- 22.7 U/ml).
- Approximately half of the silicosis patients had serum ACE levels within the normal range.
- Serum ACE levels did not correlate with silica dust exposure, X-ray findings, lung function impairment, age, smoking, or COPD.
- A trend suggested lower ACE values in patients with more severe radiological changes.
Conclusions:
- Serum ACE levels are frequently elevated in patients with silicosis.
- Serum ACE levels do not appear to provide additional useful information for the evaluation or diagnosis of silicosis.