What is Symmetric Dimethylarginine?
Symmetric dimethylarginine is a structural isomer of ADMA, also formed from proteolysis of methylated proteins, but it does not inhibit nitric oxide synthase. Instead, SDMA is primarily cleared by the kidneys and its plasma concentration rises when glomerular filtration declines. It may interfere with arginine transport into endothelial cells, indirectly affecting nitric oxide production, and has emerged as a sensitive marker of renal function independent of creatinine.