Elevations of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities in hypertensive drinkers.
Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured in 70 middle-aged male drinkers with or without elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activity and high BP. Serum ACE activity in hypertensive drinkers with elevated serum gamma-GTP was higher than that in drinkers, both normotensive and hypertensive, with normal serum gamma-GTP. Serum ACE levels were strongly correlated with alcohol consumption and serum gamma-GTP levels. Since the induction of ACE by alcohol in hepatic cells has been disputed, the coincident elevation of serum ACE and gamma-GTP activities in hypertensive drinkers may support the contention that the close association between gamma-GTP levels and BP found in drinkers is not mainly related to the induction of gamma-GTP in the hepatic cells, but related to the hepatic cell damage caused by alcohol.
Department of Hygiene, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan.
Y
Y
Yamada
M
M
Ishizaki
T
T
Kido
R
R
Honda
I
I
Tsuritani
E
E
Ikai
H
H
Yamaya
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A