Abstract
Twenty-six patients with sarcoidosis were followed up for 3 years, and the relation between clinical features and angiotensin j converting enzyme (ACE) activities in plasma were analyzed.
High level of ACE activity over 30 u (normal=22±6 u) was observed in 72% (13/18) of the patients, and its activity decreased as abnormal shadow or hilar lymph node enlargement on chest roentgenogram diminished.
The clinical state of sarcoidosis generally improves during pregnancy, and deteriorates after delivery. ACE activity in pregnant patients correlated well with the clinical courses, suggesting that ACE might be a good indicator to demonstrate the prognosis of pregnant patient.
Inh one case, hypertension was associated with sarcoidosis, and its severity was correlated wit that of sarcoidosis. In the other case, renal insufficiency occurred. ACE in these patients also correlated well with the severity of the complications. These results suggested that ACE measurement in patients with sarcoidosis might help in the diagnosis of the disease and ACE activity might be a good indicator of the clinical course of sarcoidosis, although the change of ACE activity was not specific for sarcoidosis.
