Asymmetric dimethylarginine and carotid atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentration is elevated in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Aim: To assess the relationship between plasma ADMA concentration and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM. Subjects and methods: A total of 72 newly diagnosed and untreated T2DM individuals and 72 healthy controls were studied. Carotid atherosclerosis was determined by ultrasonographically evaluated intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score. Plasma concentration of ADMA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Plasma ADMA, mean IMT, and plaque score were higher in diabetic patients compared with controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated an independent association between ADMA and mean IMT in diabetic patients. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, ADMA was the sole predictor of carotid plaque formation (plaque score >= 1.1) (odds ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 4.94, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that increased levels of ADMA might be involved in the development of carotid atherosclerosis in T2DM. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 35: 824-827, 2012) (c) 2012, Editrice Kurtis