Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, is a marker of renal dysfunction progression, vascular complications and death. Levels of ADMA and levels of its isomer symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are elevated in patients with kidney disease. In this Review, Schwedhelm and Böger provide an overview of the roles of both dimethylarginines in renal, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease, and discuss how the biological function of ADMA and SDMA could be targeted to treat renal disease in the future.
- Edzard Schwedhelm
- Rainer H. Böger
