Thyroid hormones affect serum angiotensin I converting enzyme levels.

Abstract

Serum angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) was measured in 10 patients with Graves' disease and 2 with thyroiditis during different stages of the diseases. The effect of thyroxine on serum ACE levels was also recorded in 12 patients with thyroid cancer, who were on thyroxine suppression. Serum ACE levels correlated positively with clinically assessed thyroid function and peripheral thyroid hormone levels, especially during hyper- or hypofunction. ACE was measured both with an enzyme kinetic and a new, quantitative inhibitor binding assay. The methods gave similar results, which indicates that ACE increments during thyroid hyperfunction were quantitative, and not a result of increased enzyme activity. Serum ACE increments associated with high lysozyme concentrations are signs of immunologic activation or proliferation of monocytic cells. In this study there was no correlation between the two enzymes, which may indicate either increased synthesis or possibly shedding of ACE from endothelial cells or delayed metabolic clearance of this enzyme. Serum ACE measurements may provide a useful tool for assessing thyroid function and the effect of thyroxine treatment.