Levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with psoriasis

Abstract

Aim: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a major inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis in humans. Recent reports have demonstrated that elevated high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an inflammatory marker, and plasma ADMA levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased atherogenesis. We aimed to determine the presence of endothelial dysfunction in psoriatic patients and if psoriazis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases by measuring the serum levels of ADMA and hsCRP in patients with psoriazis. Material and Methods: Thirty five psoriatic patients not having traditional cardiovascular risk factors and 26 healthy controls were included into the study. Serum levels of ADMA, hsCRP, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and BMI analyses were assessed and compared between patient and control subjects. The association of psoriazis area and severity index (PASI) scores with ADMA and hsCRP levels were evaluated. Results: There was no statistically significant difference for the demographic characteristics, and all laboratory parameters levels between psoriazis and control groups. ADMA values were 0.63±0.30 ?mol/L (mean±sd) and 0.68±0.45 ?mol/L (mean±sd) in patients and control group, respectively. hsCRP levels were 1.40±1.51 mg/L (mean±sd) in control group, while 1.91±2.13 mg/L (mean±sd) in patients group. There was no statistically significant difference between patients and control groups, in terms of ADMA and hsCRP values (p>0.05). Statistically significance and moderate correlation was found between PASI scores and serum hsCRP levels (r=0,73; p<0,01). Conclusion: This study concludes that there isn’t an increased vascular endothelial dysfunction which could be shown by ADMA and hsCRP biochemical markers in mild and moderate psoriazis. Also, it suggests that mild and moderate psoriazis is not an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, it is concluded that the levels of hsCRP could be used as an objective marker alternative to PASI to determine the response to the treatment and the severity of the disease. © 2012 Düzce Medical Journal.