January - March 2012, Volume 8, Issue 1

Alcelik A, Ozhan H, Gurses Alcelik A, Yalcin S, Aydin Y

Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine Level as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor in Patients with Hyperthyroidism

Acta Endo (Buc) 2012, 8 (1): 27-34
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2012.27

Introduction. Thyroid diseases may cause endothelial dysfunction. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction were analyzed by few studies.\r\nAim.We aimed to compare ADMA levels in patients with hyperthyroidism in a cohort free of cardiovascular risk associates such as diabetes or chronic renal failure with further comparison with healthy control subjects.\r\nMaterials and methods. The study took place in Duzce University Medical Faculty, Cardiology and Internal Medicine\r\nDepartment during the year 2010. The study group consisted of patients with hyperthyroidism (overt and subclinical). The patients with renal failure, diabetes and severe\r\nhypertension were excluded.\r\nResults. Mean ADMA level was 1.04 ? 0.43 μmol/L in the hyperthyroid group and 0.68 ? 0.21 μmol/L in the control group (p≤0.001). The comparison of patients with hyperthyroidism according to the etiology (three groups as Graves?, multinodular goiter and thyroiditis) did not show any significant difference.\r\nConclusion. Asymmetric dimethylarginine increases in patients with hyperthyroidism regardless of the etiology.\r\nThe increase of ADMA levels is independent of known major cardiovascular risk factors. It may reflect the possible counteraction of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in hyperthyroidism beyond the known cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords: asymmetric dimethyl-arginine, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular risk

Correspondence: Aytekin Alcelik MD, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Faculty of Medicine - Internal Medicine, Bolu 14100, Turkey. Email: aytekinalcelik@yahoo.com