Relations between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and risk factors for coronary disease.
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.
Wang
Jun
J
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of New South Wales, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Sim
Ah Siew
AS
Wang
Xing Li
XL
Salonikas
Chris
C
Naidoo
Daya
D
Wilcken
David E L
DE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase