NG,NG-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS).1,2 It is formed from arginine by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and degraded by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs) and alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2).1 ADMA levels are increased concomitant with an increase in blood pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a high-salt diet.2 ADMA levels are increased in the plasma in a variety of endothelial dysfunction-related diseases, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, and end-stage renal disease.1,3,4
1.Sydow, K., and Münzel, T.ADMA and oxidative stressAtheroscler. Suppl.4(4)41-51(2003) 2.Jin, J.S., and D'Alecy, L.G.Central and peripheral effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine, an endogenous nitric oxide synthetase inhibitorJ. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol.28(3)439-446(1996) 3.Vallance, P., Leone, A., Calver, A., et al.Accumulation of an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis in chronic renal failureLancet339(8793)572-575(1992) 4.Matsuoka, H., Itoh, S., Kimoto, M., et al.Asymmetrical dimethylarginine, an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, in experimental hypertensionHypertension29(1 Pt 2)242-247(1997)