title: Nitric Oxide Bioavailability in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Interplay of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Free Radicals.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs in 2% of middle-aged women and 4% of middle-aged men and is considered an independent risk factor for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important endothelium derived vasodilating substance that plays a critical role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Low levels of NO are associated with impaired endothelial function. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an analogue of L-arginine, is a naturally occurring product of metabolism found in the human circulation. Elevated levels of ADMA inhibit NO synthesis while oxidative stress decreases its bioavailability, so impairing endothelial function and promoting atherosclerosis. Several clinical trials report increased oxidative stress and ADMA levels in patients with OSA. This review discusses the role of oxidative stress and increased ADMA levels in cardiovascular disease resulting from OSA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badran
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
authors.forename: Saeid
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9166-2023
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Golbidi
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Critical Care and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, 2775 Laurel Street, 10th Floor, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1M9 ; Sleep Disorders Program, UBC Hospital, Room G-285, 2111 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5 ; Division of Critical Care Medicine, Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6.
authors.forename: Najib
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ayas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3917-4417
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laher