The vascular endothelium plays a central role in the regulation of vascular structure and function, mainly due to the formation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO). NO is formed by the enzyme NO synthetase (NOS) from the amino acid precursor L-arginine. NOS activity can be downregulated by ADMA, an endogenous inhibitor of NOS. Elevated ADMA levels in plasma have been found in clinical studies including patients with hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, chronic heart failure, chronic renal failure and other internal disorders. ADMA may have diagnostic relevance as a novel cardiovascular risk marker.
- References to ADMA (Asymmetric Dimethylarginine)