Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) Levels in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (E-ARMD).

Background and Objectives: Exudative Age Related Macular degeneration (E-ARMD) is a multifactorial disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as a factor involved in oxidative stress in patients with E-ARMD. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, 45 patients with E-ARMD were compared with 45 sex- and age- matched healthy controls. The plasma levels of ADMA were measured by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbant Assay (ELISA) method in both groups. Results: The levels of ADMA were higher in patients with E-ARMD (0.84±0.23 μM) than normal controls (0.71±0.25 μM) and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.012). Conclusion: High levels of ADMA as an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may have a role in oxidative stress in E-ARMD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]