Relations between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and risk factors for coronary disease

Atherosclerosis. 2006 Feb;184(2):383-8. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.05.002. Epub 2005 Jun 6.

Abstract

Background: Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide production, are reported to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We measured plasma levels of ADMA and related compounds, nitrate+nitrite (NO(x)), total homocysteine (tHCY) and assessed renal function and lipid profiles in 145 patients--75 with triple vessel coronary disease and 70 with no detectable coronary disease.

Results: Levels of ADMA, l-arginine, l-arginine/ADMA and plasma NO(x) were not different in the two groups but smokers with triple vessel disease had higher ADMA and lower NO(x) levels than the non-smokers, relationships also present for all smokers and non-smokers in the two groups combined. In all 145 patients ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and tHCY levels were significantly higher in patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <81 mL/min/1.73 m(2) than in patients with GFR> or =81 mL/min/1.73 m(2). There was a modest positive correlation between tHCY and ADMA and both were strongly correlated with SDMA which is excreted by the kidney. ADMA, SDMA and tHCY were negatively correlated with GFR.

Conclusions: We suggest that the reported ADMA increases in CAD patients are due to an associated reduction in renal function and to smoking habit.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Arginine / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Disease / blood*
  • Coronary Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Disease / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate / physiology
  • Homocysteine / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Homocysteine
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • Arginine
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase