Decrease of asymmetric dimethyl arginine after anti-TNF therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular events. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, contributes to the impairment of endothelial function, the earlier and reversible stage of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Since tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibits enzymatic degradation of ADMA, anti-TNF agents could restore its physiological level. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TNF inhibitors on ADMA serum levels in patients with RA. Our results suggest a possible effect of anti-TNF drugs on ADMA serum levels; longer studies would be necessary to confirm the role ADMA in assessing cardiovascular risk in RA.
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, Rheumatology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Francesca Romana
FR
Spinelli
Manuela
M
Di Franco
Alessio
A
Metere
Fabrizio
F
Conti
Cristina
C
Iannuccelli
Luciano
L
Agati
Guido
G
Valesini
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept
anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF); asymmetric dimethyl arginine; endothelial function; rheumatoid arthritis