Melzig M F, Heder G
Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Cellular and Biochemical Pharmacology, Berlin.
Pharmazie. 1995 Feb;50(2):139-41.
The Leu-enkephalin breakdown by ectopeptidases of cultivated endothelial cells is increased in a concentration-dependent manner by dexamethasone treatment. This glucocorticoid induced selectively the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) of the cells. The activity of the closely related enzyme neutral metalloenopeptidase (NEP) and the aminopeptidase N (APN) also present on the endothelial cell surface were not affected or slightly decreased by dexamethasone. The data indicate the significance of ACE for degradation of Leu-enkephalin during the stress reaction.
