The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship among dimethylarginines (asymmetric, ADMA; symmetric, SDMA) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in subjects affected by chronic, mild to intermediate, hyperhomocysteinemia.
ADMA and SDMA were assayed by an optimised HPLC method in 75 patients (Hcy = 20.8 μmol/L, 17.1–30.2; median and percentile range) and, for comparison, in 85 healthy subjects (Hcy = 8.0 μmol/L, 7.0–9.1). In controls, the cut-off values were set at 0.61 μmol/L for ADMA and 0.56 or 0.48 μmol/L for male and female SDMA, respectively. In patients, ADMA and SDMA levels were increased (p<0.001) with="" respect="" to="" controls,="" but="" no="" correlation="" with="" hcy="" was="" observed.="" hyperhomocysteinemic="" subjects="" showed="" a="" different="" behaviour="" in="" respect="" to="" adma="" and="" sdma="" levels="" and="" this="" allowed="" their="" stratification="" in="" 3="" subgroups="" characterized="" by="" adma="" and="" sdma="" in="" the="" normal="" range,="" only="" sdma,="" or="" both="" adma="" and="" sdma="" over="" the="" cut-off="" values.="" a="" lack="" of="" correlation="" with="" hcy="" was="" again="" observed,="" thus="" minimizing="" the="" direct="" role="" of="" hcy="" on="" adma="" and="" sdma="" metabolism="" and="" suggesting="" the="" need="" for="" further="" studies="" on="" this="">
Keywords: Asymmetric dimethylarginine – Symmetric dimethylarginine – Hyperhomocysteinemia – Plasma