American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jan 2013
Multicenter StudyAn association between L-arginine/asymmetric dimethyl arginine balance, obesity, and the age of asthma onset phenotype.
Increasing body mass index (BMI) has been associated with less fractional exhaled nitric oxide (Fe(NO)). This may be explained by an increase in the concentration of asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) relative to L-arginine, which can lead to greater nitric oxide synthase uncoupling. ⋯ In late-onset asthma phenotype, plasma ratios of L-arginine to ADMA may explain the inverse relationship of BMI to Fe(NO). In addition, these lower L-arginine/ADMA ratios are associated with reduced lung function and increased respiratory symptom frequency, suggesting a role in the pathobiology of the late-onset phenotype.