Assessment of L-arginine asymmetric 1 dimethyl (ADMA) in early-onset and late-onset (severe) preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. It has been classified in early or late according to gestational age at the onset of disease. Endothelial dysfunction plays a crucial part in its pathogenesis. NO is a potent vasodilator and ADMA is its endogenous inhibitor. We have assessed maternal ADMA levels. ADMA were increased in early [0.66 mu mol/L] versus late sPE [0.47 mu mol/L] (P = 0.001) and versus normotensive pregnant [0.48 mu mol/L] (P = 0.001). Our findings suggest that high ADMA levels in early sPE could compromise NO synthesis contributing to endothelial dysfunction, leading to impaired placentation and the onset of this disease. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.