Changes of the Concentration of Serum Angiotension I Converting Enzyme in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis Complicated With Esophageal Varices Hemorrhage Before and After Sandostatin Therapy

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relation between the sandostatin therapy and the changes of serum angiotensin I converting enzyme(ACE) in the patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with esophageal varices hemorrhage.METHODS: Serum ACE was measured by UV - spectrocolorimetry in 40 cases of liver cirrhosis with esophageal varices hemorrhage before and after sandostatin therapy and 20 healthy controls.RESULTS: The levels of serurn ACE both pre - and post - sandostatin therapy in the patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with esophageal varices hemorrhage were markedly higher than that of healthy controls.The serum ACE level in patients with liver cirrhosis before treatment was significantly higher than that 72 hours after treatment .CONCLUSION: Sandostatin, in the patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with esophageal varices hemorrhage, can make the concentration of serum ACE decrease, which is probably associated with the mechanism of sandostatin in lowering the portal venous pressure.