Disfunzione endoteliale e rigidità arteriosa nei pazienti con spondilite anchilosante: ruolo dell'accumulo della dimetil-arginina asimmetrica (ADMA): studio esplorativo cross-sectional caso-controllo

Increased incidence of cardiovascular disease has been observed in Ankylosin Spondylitis (AS).Data from the literature suggest that AS patients have an inceased cardiovascular rick profile due to enhanced atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: the objectives of this study are to asses plasma asymmetric dimethyl-L- arginine (ADMA) levels, indipendently predict subclinical atherosclerosis, intima-media thicness (IMT) and arterial stifness, marker of sub-clinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: Seventeen As patients were enrolled with 17 healty controls. Were recorded the following parameters:BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), BASMI ( Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index), BASFI ( Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index) and HAQ-S ( Healt Assessment Questionnaire) , CRP, ESR, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides were measured levels and determination of plasmatic levels of ADMA, SDMA, Arginine, Omocysteine, Cysteine. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by estimation IMT by carotid echography and endothelial dysfunction by flow-mediated dilatation of brachiall artery (FMD). RESULTS: We found significantly increased ADMA in AS group compared with healty controls. No difference was found in arterial stiffness and IMT between the two groups.CONCLUSION: this study show first time a role of elevation to ADMA as a mediator of vascular damage in patients with AS.