Relationship of asymmetric dimethylarginine levels with disease severity and pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has emerged as a risk marker for many conditions related to pulmonary hypertension (PH); however, little is known about ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) plasma concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our interest centers on the role of ADMA in regulation of endothelial function in COPD and secondary PH. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine concentrations in COPD and its association with PH.

Methods: Patients with diagnosis of COPD underwent pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, and laboratory investigations including ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine.

Results: Serum concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine tend to increase as COPD progresses. Patients with PH had higher concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine compared to cases with normal pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP); the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Our results show that increased ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine concentrations are associated with increased PAP measurements in patients with COPD, however, the relationship is not statistically significant.