Article

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been associated with
atherosclerosis, vascular diseases and, recently, also with arthritis including
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Serum ADMA, arginine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) levels were assessed by liquid
chromatography in 61 AS and 26 osteoarthritis (OA) patients with no known
cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Serum ADMA levels were significantly increased
in AS compared to OA patients (0.95 +/- 0.17 muM versus 0.70 +/- 0.25 muM; p <
0.001). There were no differences in serum arginine and SDMA levels. Serum ADMA
levels also positively correlated with age (R = 0.258; p = 0.043), body mass
index (R = 0.368; p = 0.003), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (R = 0.329; p =
0.009) and ADMA levels negative correlated with chest expansion (R = -0.251; p =
0.04). No correlations were found between ADMA levels and disease duration, pain
intensity, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, quality of life, CRP, HLA-B27 positivity,
endothelial dysfunction or carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: ADMA may serve as
a marker of systemic inflammation and may reflect functional immobility in AS.
Further studies are needed to assess the possible role of ADMA in AS and
AS-related vascular disease.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 Societe francaise de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier SAS.
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Langue : ANGLAIS