Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in normotensive obese individuals

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, premature atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease. This study is designed to compare serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels between obese individuals and controls.

Fifty volunteers, 30 obese (13 men; mean age, 40±11 years) and 20 healthy controls (13 men; mean age, 44±10 years) were enrolled to this study. Measurement of ADMA was accomplished by high performance liquid chromatography.

The mean body mass index of the obese group was significantly higher than that of the control group (35±4 vs 26±3 kg/m2; P=.001). The mean waist circumference of the obese subjects was also significantly higher compared with controls (111±11 vs 93±10 cm; P=.001). No significant difference was found concerning age, sex, blood pressures, and biochemistry parameters. Serum ADMA levels were significantly higher in obese individuals compared with healthy controls (5.4±3.3 vs 3.1±1.8 µmol/L; P=.006). A weak but significant correlation was identified between serum ADMA concentration and the waist circumference (r=0.282, P=.047).

The results of the present study demonstrated that serum ADMA levels of normotensive obese individuals were significantly higher than healthy controls. Increased ADMA concentrations observed only in the obese group were deemed to be important regarding the development future of cardiovascular disease in the future.