Contribution of Homocysteine and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine to Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Events in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Objective- Homocysteine (Hcy) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have recently been recognized as potential risk factors for atherosclerosis in the general population, and the metabolism of each of these substances seems to be closely related. This study investigates the association between these substances, and whether elevated serum levels of Hcy and ADMA would be related to a high risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods- The subjects were recruited from both day-time and night-time HD patients at Maruyama Hospital. The study inclusion criteria were those patients who had been receiving hemodialysis therapy for more than 6 months, were in a stable condition and were under 70 years old. The degree of atherosclerosis was evaluated by four indices involving the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid artery plaque, percentile of calcification index in the abdominal aortic wall (ACI) and elongation of the thoracic aorta. At the same time, plasma Hcy and ADMA were measured. After the initial laboratory examination and evaluation of the degree of atherosclerosis, all the patients were followed up for 5 years.