TEST CATALOG ORDERING & RESULTS SPECIMEN HANDLING CUSTOMER SERVICE EDUCATION & INSIGHTS
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Test ID: ACE    
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, Serum

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Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Evaluation of patients with suspected sarcoidosis

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is integral to the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which maintains blood pressure by regulation of fluid volume and vascular tension. Its peptidase action on the decapeptide angiotensinogen I results in the hydrolysis of a terminal histidyl leucine dipeptide and the formation of the octapeptide angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor that increases blood pressure.

 

ACE activity is increased in sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disease that commonly affects the lungs. In sarcoidosis, ACE is thought to be produced by epithelioid cells and macrophages of the granuloma.

 

ACE activity reflects the severity of sarcoidosis: 68% positivity in those with stage I sarcoidosis, 86% in stage II sarcoidosis, and 91% in stage III sarcoidosis.

 

Other conditions such as Gaucher disease, leprosy, untreated hyperthyroidism, psoriasis, premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, adults with amyloidosis, and histoplasmosis have been associated with increased serum ACE activity.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

> or =18 years: 16-85 U/L

0-17 years: ACE activity may be 20-50% higher in healthy children compared to healthy adults (16-85 U/L).

 

For SI unit Reference Values, see https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

An elevation in the level of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), along with radiographic evidence of infiltrates or adenopathy and organ biopsies showing noncaseating epithelial granulomas is suggestive of a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

 

Normal, healthy children and infants are known to have ACE activity levels greater than the adult reference interval.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Spinal fluid angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity to aid the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis has been reported; however, there is insufficient evidence to support ACE being used for this purpose.

Clinical Reference Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Liebermann J: Elevation of serum angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) level in sarcoidosis. Am J Med. 1975;59:365-372

2. Rodriguez GE, Shin BC, Abernathy RS, Kendig EL Jr: Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in normal children and in those with sarcoidosis. J Pediatr. 1981;99:68-72

3. Personal observations from a Mayo pediatric normal range study using a manual method (Hana)

4. Maguire GA, Price CP: A continuous monitoring spectrophotometric method for the measurement of angiotensin-converting enzyme in human serum. Ann Clin Biochem. 1985;22:204-210