P8.12 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ASYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE AND THE INDICES OF VASCULAR FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an inhibitor of nitric oxide production and is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Elevated plasma levels of ADMA have been demonstrated in patients with hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ADMA and the structural and functional indices of arteries in patients with hypertension. Methods and results: Eighty middle-aged (47±1.0 years, 41 male and 39 female) untreated mild to moderate essential hypertension patients underwent routine medical examination, pulse wave analysis (PWA) with salbutamol and nitroglycerin test, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and duplex ultrasound measurements of the carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT). PWA with the administration of salbutamol and nitroglycerin was used to assess endothelium dependent (EDV) and independent vasodilation. In patients with hypertension ADMA was significantly associated with EDV (r=-0.26; p=0.02) and IMT (r=0.32; p=0.007). In multiple regression analysis ADMA was significantly independently correlated with peripheral diastolic blood pressure, EDV and IMT (R2=0.28; p<0.01). No correlation was detected between ADMA and AIx (p=0.48) or PWV (p=0.54). In multiple regression analysis IMT was independently associated with age, peripheral pulse pressure, LDL cholesterol, WBC and ADMA concentration (R2=0.4; p<0.01). Conclusion: Present study demonstrated independent associations between ADMA levels and the structural and functional indices of arteries in patients with untreated hypertension. Plasma levels of ADMA were associated with increased carotid artery IMT and with reduced EDV. Thus, ADMA is a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction and intima media thickening in hypertensive patients.