[Frontiers in Bioscience E3, 1310-1314, June 1, 2011]

[Frontiers in Bioscience E3, 1310-1314, June 1, 2011]

The effect of pharmacological treatment on ADMA in patients with heart failure

Graziano Riccioni¹, Lorenza Speranza², Luca Scotti³, Valentina Bucciarelli³, Emanuela Di Ilio³, Nicolantonio D'Orazio⁴, Mirko Pesce², Antonio Aceto³, Valeria Sorrenti⁵, Alessandro Frigiola⁶, Tonino Bucciarelli³

1Cardiology Unit, San Camillo de Lellis Hospital, Manfredonia, Foggia, Italy, ²Biology Institute, University, G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy, ³Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Science, University, G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy, ⁴Human Nutrition, Department of Biochemical Sciences, University, G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy,⁵Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Catania, Italy ,⁶Department of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico S. Donato, Via Morandi 30, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Materials and methods: 3.3. Sample collection, storage and preparation; 3.4. Biochemical analysis; 3.5. Statistical analysis
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. References

1. ABSTRACT

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) plays a crucial role in the arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway. NO plays an important role in controlling vascular tone and regulates the contractile properties of cardiac myocytes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pharmacological treatment on asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) plasma levels in patients with acute congestive heart failure (HF). Patients with symptomatic acute congestive HF (NYHA Class III-IV) and impaired left ventricular (LV) function (ejection fraction < 40%) were included in the study. ADMA and SDMA concentrations were assessed before and after pharmacological treatment in 18 critically ill patients on the intensive care unit by high performance liquid chromatography. All patients received a complete pharmacological treatment (diuretics, digoxin, ACE-inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and nitroglicerin) for the treatment of acute congestive HF. ADMA plasma levels of critically ill patients were significantly higher after pharmacological treatment respect baseline values (pre-treatment). In critically ill patients with acute congestive HF acute renal impairment function and the modulation of NOS determine plasma ADMA/SDMA levels after therapy.