title: Studies with an automated kinetic assay for plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and its potentiation by zinc ion.
abstract: Measurement of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is of value in sarcoidosis and, when specific inhibitors are prescribed therapeutically, in hypertension and heart failure. In this study a rapid kinetic assay for estimation of plasma ACE is described and assessed. In particular the effects of zinc ion have been studied. In contrast to previous reports, a marked potentiation of ACE activity by micromolar concentrations of zinc was noted. The relationship between plasma zinc concentration and ACE activity in vivo was also investigated and related to albumin concentration. The findings may have implications for interpretation of plasma ACE activity in patients with low plasma zinc levels.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Clinical Chemistry, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Roulston
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Allan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000379:methods; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008433:Mathematics; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000201:enzymology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D015032:Zinc