Symmetrical (SDMA) and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) in sepsis: high plasma levels as combined risk markers for sepsis survival

摘要

BackgroundNitric oxide (NO) regulates processes involved in sepsis progression, including vascular and immune function. NO is generated by nitric oxide synthases (NOS) from L-arginine. Cellular L-arginine uptake is inhibited by symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of NOS. Increased inhibitor blood concentrations lead to reduce NO bioavailability. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma concentrations of SDMA and ADMA are markers for sepsis survival.