Hyperhomocysteinemia, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk: the potential role of ADMA.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of hyperhomocysteinemia are not completely defined, but endothelial dysfunction resulting from impaired bioavailability of nitric oxide is a consistent finding in experimental models. One potential mechanism for decreased nitric oxide bioavailability is inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by its endogenous inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Elevated plasma levels of ADMA have been found in association with hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction in both animals and humans. Additional studies are required to determine the mechanisms by which ADMA accumulates in hyperhomocysteinemia and to define the importance of ADMA in the endothelial dysfunction of hyperhomocysteinemia in vivo.