Distinct Regulation of U-ACE2 and P-ACE2 (Urinary and Plasma Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) in a Japanese General Population

Abstract

[Figure: see text].

Keywords: COVID-19; Japan; angiotensin II; angiotensin-converting enzyme; uric acid.

Figure 1.

Comparisons and correlations of U-ACE2 (urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) A and B, Comparisons of U-ACE2 levels are shown by box plots in male subjects (n=280) and female subjects (n=325; A) and in subjects treated with RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) inhibitors including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (n=139, male/female: 69/70) and those not treated with RAAS inhibitors (n=466, male/female: 211/255; B). C–F, Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (C), logarithmically transformed (log) hemoglobin A1c (D), log urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (U-ACR; E), and uric acid (F) were plotted against log U-ACE2 in each subject. Open circle: males (n=280), closed circle: females (n=325). *P<0.05.

Figure 2.

Comparisons and correlations of P-ACE2 (plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) A and B, Comparisons of P-ACE2 levels are shown by box plots in male subjects (n=280) and female subjects (n=325, A) and in subjects treated with RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) inhibitors including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (n=139, male/female: 69/70) and those not treated with RAAS inhibitors (n=466, male/female: 211/255; B). *P<0.05. C– F. Logarithmically transformed (log) GGT (γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; C), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; D), uric acid (E), and log U-ACE2 (urinary ACE2) (F) were plotted against log P-ACE2 in each subject. Open circle: males (n=280), closed circle: females (n=325).