Affiliations: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Physiology
and Toxicology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
Note: [] Corresponding author: J.A. Martínez, Department of
Nutrition and Food Sciences, Physiology and Toxicology, University of Navarra.
Calle Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain. Tel.: +34 948425600 ext. 6439; Fax:
+34 948425619; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the mRNA
expression profiles of three genes (PRMT1, DDAH2 and NOS3) are related to ADMA
metabolism and signalling, and the potential relationships with
anthropometrical, biochemical, lifestyle and inflammatory indicators in healthy
young adults. An emphasis on the putative effect of different mRNA expression
on cardiovascular risk-related features was paid. Anthropometrical measurements
as well as lifestyle features were analyzed in 120 healthy young adults.
Fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement of glucose and lipid
profiles as well as the concentrations of selected inflammatory markers.
Profiles of mRNA expression were assessed for PRMT1, DDAH2 and NOS3 genes from
peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Regarding inflammatory biomarkers, DDAH2
was inversely associated with IL-6 and TNF-α.
Moreover, subjects in the highest quintile of DDAH2 mRNA expression showed a
reduced risk to have higher values of waist circumference, and to be more prone
to show higher values of HDL-c. Interestingly, DDAH2 gene expression seemed to
be related with some anthropometrical, biochemical, lifestyle and inflammatory
indicators linked to cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy young adults,
emerging as a potential disease marker.
Keywords: Protein arginine N-methyltransferase type I 1
(PRMT1), dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), cardiovascular risk, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), atherosclerosis
