Asymmetric dimethylarginine in adults with cystathionine β-synthase deficiency.

Abstract

In hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, endothelial dysfunction due to reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide is a consistent finding. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Increased levels of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have been associated with HHcy, and may contribute, at least in part, for the homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction, but whether cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency is associated with increased ADMA has hardly been investigated. To address this question, we measured total homocysteine (tHcy), ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in plasma of 22 adult CBS deficient patients, using established HPLC techniques. Results showed that in CBS deficient patients with elevated levels of tHcy (median (total range): 33 (14-237) μmol/L), both ADMA and SDMA levels were normal. Moreover, tHcy and ADMA concentrations were not correlated (r(s)=0.017, p=0.94). Our results favor the hypothesis that the negative vascular effects of HHcy have an ADMA-independent etiology.

• Authors: Monica S Rocha, Tom Teerlink, Mirian C H Janssen, Leo A J Kluijtmans, Yvo Smulders, Cornelis Jakobs, Isabel Tavares de Almeida, Isabel Rivera, Rita Castro, Henk J Blom
• Journal: Atherosclerosis (Atherosclerosis) Vol. 222 Issue 2 Pg. 509-11 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1879-1484 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 22484094 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Homocysteine
• symmetric dimethylarginine
• N,N-dimethylarginine
• Arginine

Topics

• Adult
• Arginine (analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Endothelium, Vascular (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Homocystinuria (blood, physiopathology)
• Humans