Sarcoidosis Assays

• ACE
• 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D^XP
• 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D

This portfolio of assays provides laboratories with a Sarcoidosis management solution which is:

Unique

Fully automated, spectrophotometric Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) assay

Reliable

Accurate results for ACE and 1,25 Dihydroxy Vitamin D concentrations in serum samples

Efficient

Less than 15 minutes to a direct and quantitative ACE result

Complete ACE reagent package including calibrator and controls

 

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands. In people with sarcoidosis, abnormal masses or nodules (called granulomas) consisting of inflamed tissues form in certain organs of the body. These granulomas may alter the normal structure and possibly the function of the affected organ(s)¹.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme catalyses the conversion of the inactive decapeptide Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II. ACE is a membrane-bound enzyme found on various cell types, including vascular endothelial cells, renal proximal tubule cells, and neuroepithelial cells².

ACE is also known as kininase II and metabolizes a number of other peptides, including the vasodilator peptides bradykinin and kallidin³. Functionally, the actions of ACE potentially result in increased vasoconstriction and decreased vasodilation.

The kinetics of such a reaction can be measured by recording the decrease in absorbance at 340 nm^4,5, a method which led to the possibility of a direct spectrophotometric assay for serum ACE levels. The fully automated IDS ACE kinetic method is standardized with a colorimetric kit according to the described reference method ^6,7.

Interest in serum ACE levels began with the observation that levels are increased in approximately 60% of patients with sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease of unknown origin characterized by the formation of granuloma^8,9. Many other conditions have also been shown to be associated with altered ACE levels, however monitoring of response to treatment in sarcoidosis seems to be the most useful role of the assay¹⁰. Some reports exist describing differences in ACE levels according to age and gender, with children between 4-18 years having higher ACE concentrations than adults, however most authors have not noted any differences between males and females. ACE values can vary widely between individuals, mainly due to genetic deletion-/insertion-polymorphisms of the ACE gene.

Chronic forms of Sarcoidosis can last several years and therefore appropriate diagnostic tools are essential to closely monitor disease activity and to predict disease progression.

The IDS Sarcoidosis portfolio allows laboratories to provide clinicians with efficient tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of Sarcoidosis

1. https://www.webmd.com/lung/arthritis-sarcoidosis
2. Atlas SA. The Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System: Pathophysiological Role and Pharmacologic Inhibition. Manag Care Pharm 13(8), (suppl S-b):S9-S20 (2007).
3. Carey RM., Siragy HM. Newly recognized components of the renin-angiotensin system: potential roles in cardiovascular and renal regulation. Endocr Rev. 24, 261-71 (2003).
4. Ronca-Testoni S.: Direct spectrophotometric assay for angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum. Clin Chem 29, 1093-1096 (1983).
5. Bénéteau B. and Baudin B. et al.: Automated kinetic assay of angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum. Clin Chem 32, 884-886 (1986).
6. Lieberman J.: Elevation of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) level in Sarcoidosis. Am J Med 59, 36-72 (1975).
7. Hurst PL. and Lovell-Smith CJ.: Optimized assay for serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity. Clin Chem 27, 2048-2052 (1981).
8. Studdy PR. and Bird R. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in Sarcoidosis – its value in present clinical practice. Ann Clin Biochem 26, 13-18 (1990).
9. Iannuzzi MC. Et al.: Sarcoidosis. N Engl J Med 357, 2153-65 (2007).
10. Muller BR. Analysis of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. Ann Clin Biochem 39, 436-443 (2002).

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