Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 in a rat model of smoke inhalation induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

•Smoke inhalation results in lung injury manifestations and blood gas changes.•This is associated with increased protein and leukocytes content in BALF.•Smoke inhalation elevated W/D weights associated with pathological changes.•Abnormal expression of ACE and ACE2 pathway in lung was found after smoke injury.