title: Relationship between L-arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine, homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B levels, and coronary artery ectasia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey. drfatkoc@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: Idris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ardic
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.forename: Nihat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalay
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ozbek
authors.forename: Mikail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yarlioglues
authors.forename: Koksal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ceyhan
authors.forename: Atac
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kadi
authors.forename: Alpaslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taner
authors.forename: Semsettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Onalan
authors.forename: Mehmet Gungor
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kaya
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D005492:Folic Acid; D001120:Arginine