The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2011 , Vol 53 , Num 5
The Levels of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, Homocysteine and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Hypercholesterolemic Children
Departments of 1Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism, and 2Radiology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara,
Turkey
The aim of this study was to examine the intima-media thickness (IMT) of
carotid arteries and endothelial function parameters such as plasma asymmetric
dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine levels in hypercholesterolemic
children and to investigate the relations of these parameters with
hypercholesterolemia. Fifty-seven hypercholesterolemic and 37 healthy children
were included in the study. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as 155 mg/dl and
above for low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. Plasma concentrations of
ADMA and homocysteine were measured and the measurement of carotid IMT
was determined. Both carotid IMT and plasma ADMA levels were significantly
higher in hypercholesterolemic children than healthy children (p<0.01). No
significant difference was determined in homocysteine concentration between
hypercholesterolemic children and the control group (p>0.05). No significant
correlation was observed between lipid profiles and the levels of ADMA and
homocysteine. However, a significant positive correlation was found between
carotid IMT and total and LDL-cholesterol levels and between the levels of
ADMA and LDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, the progressive increase in ADMA
levels and carotid IMT and the positive relationship between carotid IMT and
serum cholesterol levels support that plasma ADMA levels and carotid IMT
can be indicators of early atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic children.
Keywords :
asymmetric dimethylarginine, carotid intima-media thickness,
hypercholesterolemic children.