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Insulin
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, Blood Pressure, and Renal Perfusion – (04-16-03)
James Bogash
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, Blood Pressure, and Renal Perfusion.
ADMA is still a relatively new concept. Basically, it is the arch-villian to nitric oxide. Recall that nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator and helps to lower blood pressure. When ADMA levels are high, it overrides the vasodilator effects of NO and raises blood pressure. Here we see that, in elderly patients, ADMA levels were directly correlated with blood pressure. Keep in mind that ADMA levels rise with insulin resistance (higher insulin inactivates the enzymes that degrades ADMA levels; essentially raising levels of ADMA) and insulin resistance climbs as we get older due to muscle loss.
Circulation — Abstracts: Kielstein et al. 107 (14): 1891
