Changes of serum angiotensin I converting enzyme in patients with viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.

Serum angiotensin I converting enzyme, identical with kininase II, was measured fluorometrically in patients with acute viral hepatitis (n=18), liver cirrhosis without (n=44) and with (n=19) ascites. In all groups of patients the enzyme was significantly elevated as compared to 44 healthy controls (p less than 0.001). No correlation could be found between angiotensin I converting enzyme activity and liver function tests (serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total protein, albumin, bilirubin) or other parameters (serum potassium, serum sodium). High serum converting enzyme activity in chronic liver diseases might originate primarily from an altered pulmonary circulation and indicates higher conversion rate of angiotensin I by passage through the lungs as well as increased bradykinin degradation. The reason for the enzyme liberation in acute viral hepatitis is as yet uncertain.