Effect of Aerobic Training on Plasma Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Concentration in Postmenopausal Women

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is secreted from vascular endothelium. This enzyme is one of the main determinants of blood pressure regulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training on plasma ACE concentration in postmenopausal women. The subjects of this study consisted of 14 postmenopausal women (40-65 years old). Plasma levels of ACE, anthropometric indices, maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after a training program. Exercise intensity of 45- 40% of maximum heart rate reserve for the first week and gradually took eight weeks to 80-70% of maximum heart rate reserve. plasma ACE levels after 8 weeks of aerobic exercise significantly increased in subjects (P = 0.02). A significant decrease in waist circumference were observed in postmenopausal women (P ≤ 0.001). Maximal oxygen uptake increased significantly postmenopausal women (P ≤ 0.001). There were negative correlation significantly between ACE changes and waist circumference changes (P = 0.02, r = -0.601), weight changes (P = 0. 02, r = -0.63) and BMI changes (P = 0.01, r = -0.637). This study indicated that aerobic training could increase ACE plasma levels in postmenopausal women, without significant changes in body composition and blood pressure. Further studies with more numbers of subjects are needed to confirm these results.