Increased production of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in ankylosing spondylitis: Association with other clinical and laboratory parameters

Abstract

Objective Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been associated with atherosclerosis, vascular diseases and, recently, also with arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Serum ADMA, arginine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) levels were assessed by liquid chromatography in 61 AS and 26 osteoarthritis (OA) patients with no known cardiovascular disease. Results Serum ADMA levels were significantly increased in AS compared to OA patients (0.95 ± 0.17 μM versus 0.70 ± 0.25 μM; p < 0.001). There were no differences in serum arginine and SDMA levels. Serum ADMA levels also positively correlated with age ( R = 0.258; p = 0.043), body mass index ( R = 0.368; p = 0.003), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( R = 0.329; p = 0.009) and ADMA levels negative correlated with chest expansion ( R = −0.251; p = 0.04). No correlations were found between ADMA levels and disease duration, pain intensity, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, quality of life, CRP, HLA-B27 positivity, endothelial dysfunction or carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusion ADMA may serve as a marker of systemic inflammation and may reflect functional immobility in AS. Further studies are needed to assess the possible role of ADMA in AS and AS-related vascular disease.