Asymmetric dimethylarginine: An crucial regulator in tissue fibrosis

Wei-Chen Zhao; Ge Li; Chu-Yi Huang; Jun-Lin Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.055

Asymmetric dimethylarginine: An crucial regulator in tissue fibrosis

Eur J Pharmacol. 2019 Jul 5:854:54-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.055. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Authors

Wei-Chen Zhao¹, Ge Li², Chu-Yi Huang¹, Jun-Lin Jiang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
² Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China; Faculty of Medical Public Courses, Xinhua College of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510520, China.
³ Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China. Electronic address: junlinjiang@csu.edu.cn.

PMID: 30951718
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.055

Abstract

Fibrosis is a reparative process with very few therapeutic options to prevent its progression to organ dysfunction. Chronic fibrotic diseases contribute to an estimated 45% of all death in the industrialized world. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction. Recent reports have focused on ADMA in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. This review discusses the current knowledge about ADMA biology, its association with risk factors of established fibrotic diseases and the potential pathophysiological mechanisms implicating ADMA in the process of tissue fibrosis.

Keywords: Asymmetric dimethylarginine; Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase; Tissue fibrosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
Arginine / metabolism
Fibrosis / metabolism*
Humans

Substances

N,N-dimethylarginine
Arginine