title: Subtle changes in ADMA and l-arginine concentrations in normal pregnancies are unlikely to account for pregnancy-related increased flow-mediated dilatation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our objective was to investigate whether serum concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) or l-arginine correlate to hyperlipidemia or endothelial function in normal pregnancy compared with the non-pregnant subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a part of population-based, prospective cohort Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study conducted in Finland we examined 57 pregnant Finnish women throughout gestation and 62 control women matched for age and smoking. Serum glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) and ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and l-arginine were determined concomitantly with endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), measured by ultrasound. All serum lipid concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (P < 0.001 for each). The mean serum ADMA concentration in pregnant women was significantly lower compared with the non-pregnant controls (0.513 micromol l(-1) +/- 0.0593 versus 0.577 micromol l(-1) +/- 0.0710, P < 0.001). Lowered ADMA concentrations did not correlate statistically to FMD in these healthy pregnant women but FMD was enhanced towards the end of pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADMA and l-arginine concentrations fall in normal pregnancy despite marked hypercholesterolemia. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is enhanced in normal pregnancy but is not statistically correlated to maternal serum ADMA or l-arginine concentrations.
authors: Department of Ob/Gyn, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. heli.saarelainen@kuh.fi
authors: Heli
authors: H
authors: Saarelainen
authors: Pirjo
authors: P
authors: Valtonen
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Punnonen
authors: Tomi
authors: T
authors: Laitinen
authors: Olli T
authors: OT
authors: Raitakari
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Juonala
authors: Nonna
authors: N
authors: Heiskanen
authors: Tiina
authors: T
authors: Lyyra-Laitinen
authors: Jorma S A
authors: JS
authors: Viikari
authors: Esko
authors: E
authors: Vanninen
authors: Seppo
authors: S
authors: Heinonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; C024917:symmetric dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine