Septic shock is correlated with asymmetrical dimethyl arginine levels, which may be influenced by a polymorphism in the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase II gene: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Asymmetrical dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is an endogenous non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase that may influence the severity of organ failure and the occurrence of shock secondary to an infectious insult. Levels may be genetically determined by a promoter polymorphism in a regulatory gene encoding dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase II (DDAH II), which functions by metabolising ADMA to citrulline. The aim of this study was to examine the association between ADMA levels and the severity of organ failure and shock in severe sepsis and also to assess the influence of a promoter polymorphism in DDAH II on ADMA levels.

Methods

A prospective observational study was designed, and 47 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe sepsis and 10 healthy con

SUBMITTER: O'Dwyer MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1751072 | biostudies-literature | 2006

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature