Asymmetric dimethylarginine

Asymmetric dimethylarginine
IUPAC name (2S)-2-Amino-5-[(amino-dimethylaminomethylene)amino]pentanoic acid
Other names N,N-Dimethylarginine
Identifiers
CAS number	30315-93-6
PubChem	123831
DrugBank	DB01686
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES CN(C)C(=NCCC[C@@H](C(=O)O)N)N
Properties
Molecular formula	C8H18N4O2
Molar mass	202.25 g/mol
Y dimethylarginine (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a naturally occurring chemical found in blood plasma. It is a metabolic by-product of continual protein modification processes in the cytoplasm of all human cells. It is closely related to L-arginine, a conditionally-essential amino acid. ADMA interferes with L-arginine in the production of nitric oxide, a key chemical involved in normal endothelial function and, by extension, cardiovascular health.

Discovery

Patrick Vallance and his London co-workers first noted the interference role for asymmetric dimethylarginine.^[1] Today biochemical and clinical research continues into the role of ADMA in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction and certain forms of kidney disease.

Synthesis and regulation in the body

Cardiovascular effects have been linked to ADMA

Asymmetric dimethylarginine is created in protein methylation, a common mechanism of post-translational protein modification. This reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme set called S-adenosylmethionine protein N-methyltransferases (protein methylases I and II).^[2] The methyl groups transferred to create ADMA are derived from the methyl group donor S-adenosylmethionine, an intermediate in the metabolism of homocysteine. (Homocysteine is an important blood chemical because it is also a marker of cardiovascular disease). After synthesis, ADMA migrates into the extracellular space and thence into blood plasma. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.

ADMA concentrations are substantially elevated by native or oxidized LDL cholesterol.^[3] Thus a spiralling effect occurs with high endothelial LDL levels causing greater ADMA values, which in turn inhibit NO production needed to promote vasodilation. The elimination of ADMA occurs through urine excretion and metabolism by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). The role of homocysteine as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease is suggested to be mediated by homocysteine down-regulating production of DDAH in the body. Polyphenol antioxidants also play a role in down-regulating homocysteine.

ADMA and suggested lines of therapeutic research

ADMA may play a role in certain forms of kidney disease

With raised levels of ADMA seemingly to be associated with adverse human health consequences for cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, and also a wide range of diseases of the elderly, the possible lowering of ADMA levels may have important therapeutic effects. However, it has yet to be established whether ADMA levels can be manipulated and, more important, if this results in useful clinical benefits.

The association of ADMA with abnormalities of lipid regulation suggested that supplements of free fatty acids might manipulate ADMA levels. However, research has failed to show that these have an effect.^[4][5]

ADMA role has been linked with elevated levels of homocysteine.^[6][7][8] Whilst approaches at modifying the latter with oral supplements of folic acid were strongly suggested, studies have shown this fails to give any clinical benefit and suggested that B vitamins might instead increase some cardiovascular risks.^[9][10][11]

Direct alteration of ADMA levels with supplements of L-arginine have been suggested.^[12][13] The hope is that such intervention might not only improve endothelial function but also reduce clinical symptoms of overt cardiovascular disease.^[14][15] However studies show inconsistency in results in a clinical context,^[16] and the recent results with manipulating homocysteine levels warrant extreme care with what clinical outcomes might arise from this approach.

Statins, as well as affecting circulating cholesterol levels, also increase nitric oxide levels and so have a direct effect on blood supply to the heart. Elevated levels of ADMA seems to modify this effect and so may have consequences for patients' responsiveness to taking statins.^[17]

See also

• Arginine
• Cardiovascular disease
• Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase
• Hypertension
• Nitric oxide
• Protein detoxification
• Statins
• Vasoconstriction

References

1. ^ Vallance P., Leone A., Calver A., Collier J., Moncada S. (1992). "Endogenous dimethyl-arginine as an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis". J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol 20 (Suppli. 12): S60–S62. 
2. ^ Rawal N, Rajpurohit R, Lischwe MA, Williams KR, Paik WK, Kim S (1995). "Structural specificity of substrate for S-adenosylmethionine:protein arginine N-methyltransferases". Biochim Biophys Acta 1248 (1): 11–8. doi:10.1016/0167-4838(94)00213-Z. PMID 7536038. 
3. ^ Boger RH, Sydow K, Borlak J, Thum T, Lenzen H, Schubert B, Tsikas D, Bode-Boger SM (21 July 2000). "LDL cholesterol upregulates synthesis of asymmetrical dimethylarginine in human endothelial cells: involvement of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases". Circ Res 87 (2): 99–105. doi:10.1161/01.RES.87.2.99. PMID 10903992. http://circres.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/87/2/99. 
4. ^ Eid HM, Arnesen H, Hjerkinn EM, Lyberg T, Ellingsen I, Seljeflot I (2006). "Effect of diet and omega-3 fatty acid intervention on asymmetric dimethylarginine". Nutr Metab (Lond) 3 (1): 4. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-3-4. PMC 1343562. PMID 16396682. http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/3/1/4. 
5. ^ Namiranian K, Mittermayer F, Artwohl M, Pleiner J, Schaller G, Mayer BX, Bayerle-Eder M, Roden M, Baumgartner-Parzer S, Wolzt M (2005). "Free fatty acids do not acutely increase asymmetrical dimethylarginine concentrations". Horm Metab Res 37 (12): 768–72. doi:10.1055/s-2005-921100. PMID 16372232. 
6. ^ Krzyzanowska K, Mittermayer F, Krugluger W, Schnack C, Hofer M, Wolzt M, Schernthaner G (2006). "Asymmetric dimethylarginine is associated with macrovascular disease and total homocysteine in patients with type 2 diabetes". Atherosclerosis 189 (1): 236–40. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.12.007. PMID 16414052. 
7. ^ Dayal S, Lentz SR (2005). "ADMA and hyperhomocysteinemia". Vasc Med 10 Suppl 1 (2): S27–33. doi:10.1191/1358863x05vm599oa. PMID 16444866. 
8. ^ Stuhlinger MC, Stanger O (2005). "Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA): a possible link between homocyst(e)ine and endothelial dysfunction". Curr Drug Metab 6 (1): 3–14. doi:10.2174/1389200052997393. PMID 15720202. 
9. ^ Zoungas S, McGrath BP, Branley P, Kerr PG, Muske C, Wolfe R, Atkins RC, Nicholls K, Fraenkel M, Hutchison BG, Walker R, McNeil JJ (2006). "Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Atherosclerosis and Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (ASFAST) in chronic renal failure: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial". J Am Coll Cardiol 47 (6): 1108–16. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2005.10.064. PMID 16545638. 
10. ^ Lonn, E; Yusuf, S; Arnold, MJ; Sheridan, P; Pogue, J; Micks, M; McQueen, MJ; Probstfield, J et al. (2006). "Homocysteine Lowering with Folic Acid and B Vitamins in Vascular Disease". N Engl J Med 354 (15): 1567–77. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa060900. PMID 16531613. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMoa060900v1.pdf. 
11. ^ Bonaa KH, Njolstad I, Ueland PM, Schirmer H, Tverdal A, Steigen T, Wang H, Nordrehaug JE, Arnesen E, Rasmussen K (2006). "Homocysteine Lowering and Cardiovascular Events after Acute Myocardial Infarction". N Engl J Med 354 (15): 1578–88. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa055227. PMID 16531614. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMoa055227v1.pdf. 
12. ^ Bode-Boger SM, Muke J, Surdacki A, Brabant G, Boger RH, Frolich JC (2003). "Oral L-arginine improves endothelial function in healthy individuals older than 70 years". Vasc Med 8 (2): 77–81. doi:10.1191/1358863x03vm474oa. PMID 14518608. 
13. ^ John P. Cooke (2002). The Cardiovascular Cure. Random House. ISBN 0-7679-0881-3. 
14. ^ Rector TS, Bank AJ, Mullen KA, Tschumperlin LK, Sih R, Pillai K, Kubo SH (15 June 1996). "Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of supplemental oral L-arginine in patients with heart failure". Circulation 93 (12): 2135–41. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.93.12.2135. PMID 8925582. http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/93/12/2135. 
15. ^ Ceremuzynski L, Chamiec T, Herbaczynska-Cedro K (1997). "Effect of supplemental oral L-arginine on exercise capacity in patients with stable angina pectoris". Am J Cardiol 80 (3): 331–3. doi:10.1016/S0002-9149(97)00354-8. PMID 9264427. 
16. ^ Loscalzo J (2004). "L-arginine and atherothrombosis". J Nutr 134 (10 Suppl): 2798S–2800S; discussion 2818S–2819S. PMID 15465788. 
17. ^ Janatuinen T, Laakso J, Laaksonen R, Vesalainen R, Nuutila P, Lehtimaki T, Raitakari OT, Knuuti J (2003). "Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine modifies the effect of pravastatin on myocardial blood flow in young adults". Vasc Med 8 (3): 185–9. doi:10.1191/1358863x03vm490oa. PMID 14989559. 

External links

• ADMA article, Medical News Today, March 27, 2006
• Summary of ADMA research literature
• www.adma.com