血管紧张素转化酶抑制剂不能完全阻断组织血管紧张素Ⅱ的生成,人们进一步探索,发现了另一种能催化形成血管紧张素Ⅱ的酶-chymase。最近研究发现 chymase 还有其它功能,如促进脂质在血管壁沉积、激活基质金属蛋白酶、促进血管平滑肌细胞凋亡和裂解纤维等。chymase 的这些功能均与动脉粥样硬化发病有关,本文就这方面的研究进展作一综述。 Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can not completely block the formation of tissue angiotensin II, further exploration and discovery of another can catalyze the formation of angiotensin II enzyme -chymase. Recent studies have found that chymase also has other functions, such as promoting lipid deposition in the vascular wall, activating matrix metalloproteinases, promoting vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis and cracking fibers. These functions of chymase are all related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This article reviews the research progress in this field.