title: High serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme in untreated Addison's disease.
abstract: Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in four patients with untreated Addison's disease was significantly higher [79.7 +/- 17.5 (SD) nmol min-1 ml-1] than in normal subjects (37.7 +/- 8.9 nmol min-1 ml-1, P less than 0.02). During corticosteroid hormone replacement therapy the enzyme levels returned within the normal range (44.0 +/- 7.6 nmol min-1 ml-1). In two additional patients the enzyme was assayed only while they were receiving therapy and found normal (38 and 52 nmol min-1 ml-1, respectively). In one of them, an increase ACE level (70 nmol min-1 ml-1) was found after therapy was reduced by 50%. Primary adrenal insufficiency is another disease in which ACE levels may be increased.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falezza
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lechi Santonastaso
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muggeo
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012083:Renin