Asymmetric dimethylarginine in end-stage renal disease patients: a biomarker modifiable by calcium blockade and angiotensin II antagonism?

The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an emerging risk biomarker in cardiovascular and renal diseases. Apparently amlodipine and valsartan produce substantial reductions in the plasma concentration of this methylarginine in hemodialysis patients. These findings are of relevance for designing studies aimed at testing the etiologic relevance of ADMA to the high cardiovascular risk of ESRD.