title: Endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide and preeclampsia: a review.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator. NO is synthesized by NO synthases (NOS) and NOS are inhibited by asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA). ADMA is metabolized by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) and excreted in the kidneys. Lower ADMA levels in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls suggest that ADMA has a role in vascular dilatation and blood pressure changes. Several studies show an increase in ADMA levels in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. Elevated ADMA levels in preeclampsia are seen before clinical symptoms have developed; these findings suggest that ADMA has a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lyell McEwin Health Service, University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Slaghekke
authors.forename: Gus
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeffries
mesh_terms: D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D021041:Placental Circulation; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000581:Amidohydrolases; C059999:dimethylargininase