Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
We reported a reduction in the levels of angiotensin II in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


OBJECTIVE
To clarify the mechanism underlying this reduction, we assayed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 concentrations along with angiotensin II concentrations in CSF samples from 20 patients with MS and 17 controls with non-neurological diseases.


RESULTS
ACE levels were significantly elevated in patients with MS compared with controls (48.42 +/- 4.84 vs 44.71 +/- 3.9 pg/mL), whereas ACE2 levels were significantly reduced (2.56 +/- 0.26 vs 2.78 +/- 0.24 pg/mL), acting toward a normalization of angiotensin II levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These results further indicate an alteration of the intrathecal renin-angiotensin system in patients with MS.
Kawajiri
M
M
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Ehime, Japan. mz1965kawajj@khc.biglobe.ne.jp
Mogi
M
M
Higaki
N
N
Matsuoka
T
T
Ohyagi
Y
Y
Tsukuda
K
K
Kohara
K
K
Horiuchi
M
M
Miki
T
T
Kira
J I
JI
D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*
D000804:Angiotensin II; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; C000705307:ACE2 protein, human; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2