Angiotensin-converting enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme-13344
High in sarcoidosis, more often when the disease is active. Of value in assessing the response of sarcoidosis to corticosteroid therapy.
Stop administration of Captopril, Enalapril, or Lisinopril for 12 hours prior to sample collection (reduces ACE activity).
Immediatley following collection, mix sample by inverting 5 times
- Allow specimen to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
- Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
- Allow specimen to clot
- Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
- Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp) labelled as "serum"
Ambient (preferred) - 10 days
Refrigerated - 10 days
Frozen - 7 months
Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x4
- Captopril, enalapril, or lisinopril administration
- Hemolyzed specimen
- Icteric specimen
- Whole blood
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- EDTA plasma specimen received
Kinetic
0 - 2 years: 18 - 95 units/L
3 - 14 years: 22 - 108 units/L
≥ 15 years: 14 - 82 units/L
Changes in serum ACE correlate with clinical status and results of gallium scans (which reflect presence and activity of inflammatory granulomatous lesions). Falling ACE level is a favorable prognostic sign. Rising levels may reflect activity uncontrolled by therapy.