Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are correlated with the severity of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, suggesting it may be a novel risk factor for vascular disease.
Does ADMA cause endothelial dysfunction in patients with atherosclerosis?
ADMA may serve as a novel risk factor for vascular disease by inhibiting nitric oxide production and impairing blood flow.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous and competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Plasma levels of this inhibitor are elevated in patients with atherosclerosis and in those with risk factors for atherosclerosis. In these patients, plasma ADMA levels are correlated with the severity of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. By inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, ADMA may impair blood flow, accelerate atherogenesis, and interfere with angiogenesis. ADMA may be a novel risk factor for vascular disease.
John P. Cooke (2000) conducted a review in Atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was evaluated. Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are correlated with the severity of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, suggesting it may be a novel risk factor for vascular disease.