THE USE OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME AS A BIOCHEMICAL MARKER TO DETECT CHEST DISEASES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Abstract

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), one of the biochemical markers which can be used as frequent and relatively non-invasive test for diagnosis of chest diseases, as the level increased in a number of a disease states including sarcoidosis, silicosis, asbestosis, and decreased in tuberculosis, asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis. This study was performed on one hundred male patients and they well be divided equally into four groups. (Tuberculous group, asthmatic group, silica dust exposed group, and control group).

The following liens of investigations were carried out for all groups:

1. Questionnaire will be admitted to patients through interview. 2. Complete clinical examination will be fulfilled especially local chest examination. 3. Tuberculin test will be done. 4. Plain X­ ray chest postero-anterior view. 5. ESR. 6. Sputum examination for acid fast bacilli. 7. Complete blood picture. 8. Pulmonary function tests for non tuberculous patients. and 9. Determination serum level of ACE and serum Ca level.

We detected in the present study the following items: L Serum ACE (SACE) level higher in silica dust exposed group than in control group, as well as control group higher than asthmatic and T.B group. 2. There was inverse relation between SACE, and tuberculin diameter as well as presence or absence of acid fast Bacilli (AFB). 3. Effect of smoking on SACE level, which shows increase level of SACE in non smokers than smokers in all groups. 4. There was no age related differences on SACE level. 5. It was observed that the level of SACE not increase with hypercalcaemic conditions associated with T.B, and bronchial asthma.