Cardiovascular risk factors and the concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine

Abstract

Background. The most commonly recognized cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) include smoking cigarettes, manifestation of arterial hypertension (AH), hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and the presence of overweight or obesity. In recent years, investigations have documented the significance of asymmetric dimethylarginine concentration (ADMA) in the pathogenesis of diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. Objectives. To evaluate the relationship between the number of CVRF and blood ADMA concentration. Material and methods. The study was conducted on a sample of 138 individuals (mean age 54.90 +/- 10.38 years). Among the participants, we distniguished subgroups with no CVRF (group A, n = 21), with 1-2 CVRF (group B, n = 53), with 3-4 CVRF (group C, n = 55), and with 5-6 CVRF (group D, n = 9). Plasma concentrations of arginine and of endogenous methylarginines were estimated. Results. Plasma ADMA concentrations proved to be significantly higher in groups B, C and D than those in group A. Regression analysis allowed us to demonstrate that in the studied population of patients, manifestation of type 2 DM, followed by AH and hypercholesterolemia, were linked to the highest probability of elevated plasma ADMA concentration. Conclusions. Higher concentration of ADMA in the blood may be a marker for higher cardiovascular risk, especially associated with hypertension, type 2 DM and hypercholesterolemia.