ADMA 2008 4th International Symposium on ADMA Bregenz, Lake Constance August 28-29, 2008 Click here for more information

ADMA: a brief summary Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a naturally occurring component of human blood plasma. It is formed as a metabolic byproduct of continuous protein turnover in all cells of the body. More than one decade ago ADMA was first reported to exert biological effects by inhibiting NO synthesis. Starting with this initial finding, the pathophysiological role of ADMA has subsequently been elucidated in more detail by the collaborative efforts of many groups of researchers throughout the world. Many researchers today agree that ADMA may play a prominent role in the pathogenesis and in the progression of cardiovascular diseases - specifically atherosclerosis. The clinical role of ADMA as a marker of cardiovascular risk can be deduced from an increasing number of clinical studies that have demonstrated the presence of a statistically significant and independent relationship between ADMA and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events or death [89]. In Figure 25 diseases have been highlighted in which elevation of ADMA may play an important pathophysiological role.

Figure 25. Selection of clinical conditions that have been reported to be associated with elevated ADMA concentration and for which there is data available supporting a role for ADMA in the pathophysiology of the disease.

The quantification of ADMA levels in serum or plasma of a given patient therefore provides evidence beyond information gained by traditional risk markers, which help in a more profound risk analysis for the patient - and, therefore, a more specific therapeutic approach. With the availability of the competitive ADMA®-ELISA a simple and rapid, yet specific, sensitive, and fully validated method is now available for diagnostic assessment of ADMA concentration that is feasible in virtually any laboratory throughout the world. Additional and updated information on ADMA and the ADMA®-ELISA can be found in the internet at www.dld-diagnostika.de and www.germediq.de.