Levels of asymmetrical dimethylarginine are predictive of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation 6 years later. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

Abstract

AIM:

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis and has been observed to associate with endothelial function in cross-section studies. In the present study our aim was to investigate whether plasma ADMA levels are predictive of brachial artery endothelial function in a prospective setting.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Using ultrasound we measured brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) both in 2001 and 2007 in 1808 healthy subjects aged 24-39 years at baseline. Plasma methylarginines were determined by isocratic high-pressure liquid chromatography in 2001. In a multivariable model adjusted with brachial diameter and conventional cardiovascular risk factors, baseline ADMA levels had a significant inverse association with FMD measured 6 years later (β±SE: -1.89±0.69%, P=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that plasma ADMA can predict brachial artery FMD in subjects without prevalent atherosclerotic disease. These data suggest that plasma ADMA may have a determinative role in predicting endothelial function.

• Authors: Hannu Päivä, Mika Kähönen, Terho Lehtimäki, Georg Alfthan, Jorma Viikari, Reijo Laaksonen, Nina Hutri-Kähönen, Tomi Laitinen, Leena Taittonen, Olli T Raitakari, Markus Juonala
• Journal: Atherosclerosis (Atherosclerosis) Vol. 212 Issue 2 Pg. 512-5 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1879-1484 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 20655043 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• N,N-dimethylarginine
• Arginine

Topics

• Adult
• Arginine (analogs & derivatives, biosynthesis)
• Brachial Artery (pathology)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid (methods)
• Cohort Studies
• Endothelium, Vascular (cytology)
• Female
• Finland
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Risk Factors