engleski

Asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and the severity of the liver disease

Introduction: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) plays an important role in pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction. Previous studies suggest that a hepatocellular damage may be the main determinant of elevated ADMA levels in a liver disease. The aim of this study was to determine the alterations of ADMA levels based on the severity of the liver disease. Methods: Sixty-eight patients (56 male), with histologically or clinically proven liver cirrhosis were included in the study. ADMA levels were determined using validated competitive enzyme-immunoassays procedure. The subjects were divided into three subgroups (A n= 9, B n= 33, C n= 26) based on the degree of the liver involvement, as assessed by the Child-Pugh’s score (CPS). Patients were stratified according to pre-existing cardiovascular and renal risks. The data were tested using nonparametric Kruskal- Wallis test, followed by post hoc analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in ADMA levels between CP groups (χ2=12, 774, p= 0, 002). Post hoc analysis revealed that ADMA levels were significantly higher in Child Pugh class C versus class A (χ2=4, 716, p= 0, 030) and Child Pugh class C versus class B (χ2=11, 606, p= 0, 001). Discussion / Conclusion: Higher ADMA levels in the advanced stage of the liver disease (Child Pugh C) are most likely to reflect severity of the liver disease. Thus in liver cirrhosis ADMA levels are not an indicator of endothelial dysfunction. Further studies on a larger scale population are needed to elucidate to role of ADMA in advanced liver disease.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine ; Liver cirrhosis

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