Why carry out this study?

Enhancing activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), using the recombinant form of human ACE2 could be beneficial in diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome but may compromise the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) and potentially impact systemic and tissue oxygenation.

The exact role of the RAS in modulating the acute HPV response is currently unclear.

This study evaluated the effect of GSK2586881, a recombinant form of human ACE2, on the HPV response and subsequent potential impact on systemic oxygen saturation in healthy adult volunteers during exercise under hypoxic conditions.

What was learned from the study?

A single IV dose of GSK2586881 0.8 mg/kg was well tolerated but did not impact the acute HPV response in healthy volunteers.

This research contributes to scientific dialogue, and publication will further understanding in this field. Although the study was terminated early, the results demonstrated that HPV occurs independently of RAS peptides under the experimental conditions tested.