ADMA is independently related to flow-mediated vasodilation in subjects at low cardiovascular risk

Background Increased plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) contribute to impair endothelial function in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or individuals with clinical syndromes known to increase CVD. However, the impact of ADMA on endothelial function in apparently healthy individuals has not been determined. Materials and methods To address this issue, we measured endothelial‐dependent vasodilatation in response to forearm ischaemia (flow‐mediated vasodilatation, FMD) in 111 non‐smoking, healthy volunteers with low CVD risk by the Framingham risk equation. Measurements were also made of multiple anthropometric, metabolic, and dynamic variables related to FMD. l‐arginine and its methylated derivates (ADMA and SDMA) were quantified by high‐liquid pressure chromatography. Results After adjustment by gender, lower values for FMD were significantly associated with increases in plasma ADMA concentrations (anova linear trend by FMD tertiles, P