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Serum angiotensin converting enzyme level in bronchial asthma
Annals of Allergy
|January 1, 1978
Summary
Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is lower in asthma patients, especially those with chronic asthma. Steroid use and blood pressure did not affect ACE levels, but beta-globulin levels showed a correlation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pulmonology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting millions worldwide.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays a role in various physiological processes.
- Understanding biochemical markers in asthma can aid in diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels in patients with bronchial asthma.
- To explore the relationship between serum ACE activity and asthma severity, acute attacks, steroid use, blood pressure, and serum beta-globulin fraction.
Main Methods:
- Serum ACE activity was measured spectrophotometrically using hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine as a substrate analogue.
- Patients with bronchial asthma were compared to a control group.
- Correlations with clinical parameters including asthma chronicity, acute attacks, steroid medication, blood pressure, and serum beta-globulin were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Mean serum ACE levels were significantly lower in patients with bronchial asthma compared to controls.
- Reduced serum ACE activity was observed in chronic asthma patients compared to occasional asthma sufferers.
- Serum ACE activity did not correlate with acute asthma attacks, steroid treatment, or blood pressure, but showed a correlation with serum beta-globulin fraction.
Conclusions:
- Serum ACE activity may serve as a potential biochemical marker in bronchial asthma, particularly in distinguishing chronic cases.
- The findings suggest a complex interplay between ACE, beta-globulin, and asthma pathophysiology.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of ACE in asthma.