Increased levels and reduced catabolism of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines in pulmonary hypertension

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Abstract
SPECIFIC AIMSIdiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a progressive and life-limiting disorder which is associated with impaired bioactivity and/or synthesis of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). The mechanisms resulting in this impairment are multifactorial. Recently, the impact of endogenous NO-synthase inhibitors such as dimethylarginines (ADMA and SDMA) has come into the focus of attention. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for the biosynthesis and metabolism of these mediators are not yet completely understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of protein arginine methylation and/or alterations of the metabolizing enzyme DDAH in the course of chronic pulmonary hypertension. The studies were performed mainly on human lung tissue from patients suffering from IPAH as well as on tissue from pulmonary hypertensive rats.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Elevated plasma concentrations of ADMA and SDMA in patients with IPAH and chronic PHT rat modelFree asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarg...
Funding Information
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung