title: Zinc, angiotensin I-converting enzyme and hypertension.
abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme, or kininase II, is a zinc metallo-enzyme; the cation forms part of its active site. The enzyme transforms angiotensin I into angiotensin II and hydrolyses bradykinin into inactive peptides. Antihypertensive diuretics may decrease the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme by increasing urinary zinc excretion. Captopril inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme, but also affects electrolyte excretion and should be reassessed as a possible first-choice antihypertensive agent in the treatment of essential hypertension.
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000502:physiology*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000502:physiology* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004232:Diuretics; D002216:Captopril; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012083:Renin; D015032:Zinc