Altered methylarginine levels after surgery in subjects with multinodular goiter

Thyroid disorders are important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Levels of methylarginines such as asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), L-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA) are increase in cardiovascular diseases. Multinodular goiter (MNG) is the most common type of goiter in adults. To date, no study has been conducted to determine the levels of methylarginine in euthyroid MNG patients. Our aim in this study is to compare levels of methylarginines and related metabolites in the preoperative, postoperative MNG patients and controls.

Serum ADMA, SDMA, L-NMMA, homoarginine (hArg), arginine and citrulline concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

ADMA (p<0.001), L-NMMA (p=0.002), l-arginine (p=0.006) and citrulline (p<0.001) levels were statistically significantly higher in preop group than postop group. ADMA (p=0.003), L-NMMA (p=0.003) levels were statistically significantly higher and SDMA/ADMA (p<0.001), hArg/ADMA (p<0.001) levels were statistically significantly lower in preop group than control group.

The levels of methylarginines and related metabolites altered in the euthyroid MNG patients compared to the control group, and more importantly, there were significant differences between the preop and postop groups. Therefore, these metabolites can be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid disorders, even if thyroid hormone levels are normal.