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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine
(ADMA), an important endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, in populations
at high risk for atherosclerosis as compared to healthy controls, and furthermore
to evaluate the effect of cholesterol lowering therapy in individuals with hypercholesterolemia.
The present study consisted of 32 men with untreated hypercholesterolemia (HC group),
38 individuals with well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM group)
and 20 healthy individuals (controls). The HC subjects were randomly allocated into
a double blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over designed study with 8 weeks treatment
with pravastatin (40 mg/day) or matching placebo. ADMA levels were statistically significantly
higher in DM and HC individuals as compared to controls (P<0.001 for both), and the
L-arginine/ADMA ratios were significantly lower in both groups (P<0.001 and P<0.005,
respectively). Significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels on
pravastatin were obtained (P<0.001 for both), whereas no changes were observed in
the levels of ADMA or the L-arginine/ADMA ratios. Statistically significant correlations
between ADMA and TC and LDL-C were found (r=0.41, P<0.001 for both). In conclusion,
significantly elevated ADMA levels and reduced L-arginine/ADMA ratios were found in
individuals with diabetes type-1 as well as in hypercholesterolemia. Treatment with
pravastatin 40 mg/day for 8 weeks had no effect on the levels of ADMA in hypercholesterolemic
men.