title: Biological functional relevance of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: There is growing evidence that increased levels of the endogenous NO synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Studies in animal models as well as in humans have suggested that the increase in ADMA occurs at a time when vascular disease has not yet become clinically evident. ADMA competitively inhibits NO elaboration by displacing L-arginine from NO synthase. In a concentration-dependent manner, it thereby interferes not only with endothelium-dependent, NO-mediated vasodilation, but also with other biological functions exerted by NO. The upshot may be a pro-atherogenic state. Recently, several studies have investigated the effect of various therapeutical interventions on ADMA plasma concentrations.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franceschelli
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrone
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. D'Annunzio-Chieti, Chieti 66100, Italy. l.speranza@unich.it.
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Speranza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C487735:dimethylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase