Symmetric dimethylarginine alters endothelial nitric oxide activity in glomerular endothelial cells

Circulating symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is increased in patients with chronic kidney disease. SDMA is considered an inert metabolite, but because it can transported into cells, we studied the effect of SDMA on glomerular endothelial cells. SDMA suppressed VEGF-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and nitric oxide production, but not VEGFR2 activation and signaling leading to eNOS activation. SDMA caused eNOS uncoupling and increased superoxide anion production in response to VEGF. All these effects were blocked by preventing cellular uptake of SDMA with a molar excess of arginine. These data show that SDMA interferes with nitric oxide production by uncoupling eNOS and leads to oxidative stress in glomerular endothelial cells. In conclusion, our data show that SDMA is not an inert metabolite and that it could contribute to oxidative stress in the renal endothelium.