Summary.
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 issue.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paroni, R., Fermo, I., Fiorina, P. et al. Determination of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines in plasma of hyperhomocysteinemic subjects. Amino Acids 28, 389–394 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-005-0191-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-005-0191-z