Serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in children with diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Scrum levels of angiotensin converting enzyme were measured in 21 children with type I diabetes mellitus and 13 healthy children. Diabetic subjects were excluded if they had hypertension; liver diseases; or kidney diseases. None of the children were receiving any medications except insulin in diabetic group. After an overnight fasting, blood sample was taken from each child for determination of fasting blood suger; glycosylated haemoglobin; and angiotensin converting enzyme. Data were analysed according to the non-paired student's t-test and linear regression analysis. Levels of angiotensin converting enzyme were significantly elevated in diabetic group as compared with control subjects [33.76 + 6.6 U/l vs 26.3 + 4.76 U/l .t = 3.82 and p<0.001]. No correlation was found between angiotensin converting enzyme levels and glycosylated haemoglobin or fasting blood glucose values. Many factors could contribute to elevation of this enzyme in diabetic children; increased release from damaged vasculature; subclinical hepatic impairment and insulin defeciency and/ or resistance