Decreased Plasma Levels of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Background: Dysfunctions in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of several mental illness, including schizophrenia and mood disorders. We carried out a cross-sectional study assessing the levels of RAS-related molecules among bipolar disorder (BD) patients compared to healthy controls.

Methods: our sample consisted of 30 outpatients with BD type 1 (10 males, 20 females, age = 35.53 ± 10.59 years, 14 euthymic, 16 experiencing mood episodes) and 30 healthy controls (10 males, 20 females, age = 34.83 ± 11.49 years). Plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin-II (Ang II), and angiotensin (1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] were determined by ELISA.

Results: BD patients experiencing ongoing mood episodes had significantly lower ACE levels compared to controls (median: 459.00 vs. 514.10, p < 0.05). There was no association between the levels of these biomarkers and clinical parameters.

Conclusion: Our findings support the involvement of RAS dysfunction in the pathophysiology of BD. Considering the potential therapeutic implications linked to a better understanding of the role of RAS dysfunction in BD, studies allowing a better characterization of RAS-related molecules level and activity across different mood states are of high interest.

Keywords: angiotensin II; angiotensin converting enzyme; bipolar disorder; depression; mood disorders; renin-angiotensin system.

FIGURE 1

Plasma levels of renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-related molecules in non-euthymic bipolar patients and healthy controls. Non-euthymic bipolar disorder patients (n = 16) presented with significantly lower plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) than healthy controls (n = 30). Differences regarding the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin-II (Ang II), and angiotensin (1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] were not statistically significant.