Tuberc Respir Dis.  1988 Sep;35(3):187-193. 10.4046/trd.1988.35.3.187.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) in Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) Fluid in Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

• KMID: 2528602
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1988.35.3.187

Abstract

The serum ACE is increased in patients with miliary pulmonary tuberculosis, but not in patients with other tuberculosis. Since there were a few reports on ACE in serum and BAL in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, we measured serum and BAL ACE in 14 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (minimal Tbc 9, moderately advanced Tbc 5) and 8 normal controls. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The mean serum ACE and BAL ACE/ albumin of normal controls were 20.87 ± 5.l9 mU / ml and 3.77 ± 6. 79 respectively. In the pulmonary tuberculosis, the mean serum ACE (18.14 ± 6.27 mu/ ml) and BAL ACE/ albumin (4.22 ± 3.81) showed no significantly difference compared with normal controls. 2) The serum and BAL ACE showed no significantly difference according to the extent of pulmonary tuberculosis (minimal & moderatel y advanced Tbc). 3) In each minimal and moderately advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, there was significant correlation between serum ACE and BAL ACE (p < 0.05 ). 4) The serum ACE in smokers was not different from that of non-smokers but the BAL ACE/ albumin in smokers was significantly higher than in smokers (6. 03 ± 5.51 vs 1. 69 ± 2. 12, p < 0.05 ). In conclusion, the serum and BAL ACE of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were not significantly difference compared with normal controls, and also showed no significantly difference according to the extent of pulmonary tuberculosis. It is suggested that the study of ACE from serum and BAL fluid with pulmonary tuberculosis were not significant clinically.