Key result
Treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs was not associated with higher plasma concentrations of ACE2 compared to no treatment (mean 5.99 vs 5.98; P=0.31) in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Why the study?
Concern was raised that ACE inhibitors and ARBs might increase ACE2 expression—the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor—and potentially raise the risk of death from SARS-CoV-2.
Does treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs increase circulating plasma concentrations of ACE2 in patients with established cardiovascular disease or risk factors without heart failure?
Cohort (n=4,008)
Does treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs increase circulating plasma concentrations of ACE2 in patients with established cardiovascular disease or risk factors without heart failure?
In patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors without heart failure, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are not associated with higher plasma concentrations of ACE2, alleviating concerns regarding increased SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor expression.
AIMS: Concern has been raised that treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which acts as the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and lead to an increased risk of death from SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to address this concern by evaluating the in vivo relationship of treatment with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) with circulating plasma concentrations of ACE2 in a large cohort of patients with established cardiovascular disease (n = 1864) or cardiovascular risk factors (n = 2144) but without a history of heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was measured in 4008 patients (median age 68, 33% women, 31% on ACE-inhibitors, 31% on ARB) using the SOMAscan proteomic platform (SomaLogic Inc, Colorado, USA). Plasma concentration of ACE2 was comparable in 1250 patients on ACE inhibitors (mean 5.99) versus patients without ACE inhibitors (mean 5.98, P = 0.54). Similarly, plasma concentration of ACE2 was comparable in 1260 patients on ARB (mean 5.99) versus patients without ARB (mean 5.98, P = 0.50). Plasma concentration of ACE2 was comparable in 2474 patients on either ACE inhibitors or ARB (mean 5.99) versus patients without ACE inhibitors or ARB (mean 5.98, P = 0.31). Multivariable quantile regression model analysis confirmed the lack of association between treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARB and ACE2 concentrations. Body mass index showed the only positive association with ACE2 plasma concentration (effect 0.015, 95% confidence interval 0.002 to 0.028, P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of patients with established cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors but without heart failure, ACE inhibitors and ARB were not associated with higher plasma concentrations of ACE2.
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Zimmermann et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors without heart failure (n=4,008). ACE inhibitors or ARB vs. No ACE inhibitors or ARB was evaluated on Plasma concentration of ACE2 (p=0.31). Treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs was not associated with higher plasma concentrations of ACE2 compared to no treatment (mean 5.99 vs 5.98; P=0.31) in patients with cardiovascular disease.
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