Increased serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in hyperemesis gravidarum

We sought to investigate the serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Thirty-seven patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 33 healthy controls were included in the study. Participants in the control group had no symptoms, or suffered only mild nausea without vomiting. The groups did not differ in age, weight, gestational week, or levels of hemoglobin, glucose or creatinine. The group with hyperemesis gravidarum had higher levels of blood urea nitrogen and liver transaminase than the controls (p = 0.005, 0.01, and 0.04, respectively). They also had lower levels of sodium and thyroid-stimulating hormone (p = 0.004 and 0.03, respectively). Serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine were 0.79 +/- A 0.39 mu M in the group with hyperemesis gravidarum and 0.68 +/- A 0.21 mu M in the control group (p = 0.001). The results of this study showed the role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum.