Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Unit Converter

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a naturally occurring amino acid found in your blood. It is structurally similar to L-arginine and acts as a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for producing nitric oxide (NO).

Nitric oxide is a key molecule that keeps blood vessels relaxed and healthy. By blocking its production, elevated ADMA can impair vascular function and contribute to endothelial dysfunction.

Normal plasma levels are approximately 0.3 to 0.5 µmol/L. About 80% of ADMA is broken down by the enzyme DDAH (dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase), with the remainder cleared by the kidneys.

ADMA is produced throughout the body during normal protein turnover. Enzymes called protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) add methyl groups to arginine residues in proteins, and when those proteins are broken down, ADMA is released into the bloodstream.