Serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Levels in Syphilis Patients.
- Author:
Jang Whan PARK
;
Eui Soo PARK
;
Joon Young SONG
- Publication Type:Comparative Study ; Original Article
- MeSH:
Angiotensin I;
Angiotensins*;
Bradykinin;
Diagnosis;
Humans;
Male;
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A*;
Sarcoidosis;
Syphilis*
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1984;22(2):220-225
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase, hydrolyzes angiotensin I to the active angiotensin g and also inactivates bradykinin. Activity of ACE was first identified in plasrna by Skeggs et al in 1956. In 1975 Lieberman first reported elevation of serum ACE level in patients with active sarcoidosis and suggested clinical application of the assay to confirm a diagnosis of sarcoidosis and to serve as a guide for therapy. The author studied the serurn ACE levels in 21 syphilitic patients (11 men, 10 women) who showed positive responses in both VDRL and TPHA tests and 20 normal healthy controls (7 men, 13 women) by the spectrophotometric method described by Lieberrnan who modified Cushman and Cheungs method. Comparative studies of ACE levels in syphilitic group with normal control group and relationship among the age, sex and treatment were also conducted. The results were summarized as follows : Ages of the syphilitic patients and normal healthy control group ranged from 18 to 51 years (27 1+-8 98 years) and from 14 to 49 years (28 4+9 08 years) respectively. The mean serum ACE level in syphilitic patients was ll 33+-3 25 p/ml, which was significantly higher than that of normal healthy control group, 6 39+-2 RR p/ml, (p<0001) Of the 21 syphilitic patients, 15(71 4%) had ACE activity higher than the upper limit of normal (mean+1SD). There was no significant correlation between age and serum ACE level. -countinue-
