Relationship between L-arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine, homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B levels, and coronary artery ectasia.
BACKGROUND
Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterized by an abnormal dilatation of the coronary arteries. The ratio of L-arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine are important factors for endothelial function. In this study, we investigate the ratio of L-arginine/ADMA, homocysteine, and folic acid/vitamin B levels in patients with CAE.


METHODS
Forty patients diagnosed with CAE using coronary angiography were included in the study (24 male; mean age, 56 ± 11 years). The control group consisted of 30 patients who had normal coronary arteries as determined by coronary angiography (11 male; mean age, 54 ± 8 years). The ratio of L-arginine/ADMA and plasma homocysteine was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The L-arginine/ADMA ratio and L-arginine levels were significantly lower in the CAE group compared with the control group (110 ± 27 vs. 149 ± 77, P=0.02 and 157 ± 32 μmol/l vs. 187 ± 59 μmol/l, P=0.02, respectively). Plasma ADMA levels were similar in the two groups. Patients with CAE had higher plasma homocysteine levels (P=0.01). Plasma folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 levels were similar between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that patients with CAE have a lower L-arginine/ADMA ratio and higher plasma homocysteine levels. These results show a potential relationship between endothelial dysfunction and CAE.
Koc
Fatih
F
Department of Cardiology, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey. drfatkoc@gmail.com
Ardic
Idris
I
Erdem
Sami
S
Kalay
Nihat
N
Ozbek
Kerem
K
Yarlioglues
Mikail
M
Ceyhan
Koksal
K
Celik
Atac
A
Kadi
Hasan
H
Taner
Alpaslan
A
Sahin
Semsettin
S
Onalan
Orhan
O
Kaya
Mehmet Gungor
MG
D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014421:Turkey; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D005492:Folic Acid; D001120:Arginine