OBJECTIVE Angiotensin-III (Ang-III) is the downstream product of angiotensin-II (Ang-II) metabolized by aminopeptidase A (APA). At present, the research of Ang-III mainly concentrates on hypertension and the central renin-angiotensin system (RAS). However, few studies have focused on the relationship between Ang-III and coronary atherosclerosis (CAS). METHODS AND RESULTS Plasma Ang-III and APA levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 44 normal subjects and 84 patients confirmed as having CAS by coronary angiography. Circulating Ang-III levels were significantly lower in patients with CAS than in normal controls (P = 0.013). APA levels were slightly lower in the CAS group (P = 0.324). According to the severity of atherosclerosis, CAS patients were divided into two groups. Compared with the controls, the APA and Ang-III levels were lower in the high scoring group and APA decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS Circulating Ang-III levels were reduced in patients with CAS, and the possible reason may be related to the decrease in the APA level.

中文翻译：

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冠状动脉粥样硬化患者循环血管紧张素-III的水平和意义。

目的血管紧张素-III（Ang-III）是由氨肽酶A（APA）代谢的血管紧张素-II（Ang-II）的下游产物。目前，Ang-III的研究主要集中在高血压和中枢肾素-血管紧张素系统（RAS）方面。然而，很少有研究关注 Ang-III 与冠状动脉粥样硬化 (CAS) 之间的关系。方法和结果 用酶联免疫吸附试验 (ELISA) 测定 44 名正常受试者和 84 名冠状动脉造影证实患有 CAS 的患者的血浆 Ang-III 和 APA 水平。CAS 患者的循环 Ang-III 水平显着低于正常对照组（P = 0.013）。CAS 组的 APA 水平略低（P = 0.324）。根据动脉粥样硬化的严重程度，将CAS患者分为两组。与对照相比，高分组APA和Ang-III水平较低，APA明显下降。结论 CAS患者循环Ang-III水平降低，其可能原因可能与APA水平降低有关。