Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and play a critical role in the process of endothelial dysfunction, and are considered markers of oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to explore relationships between ADMA and/or SDMA and the occurrence of OSA in obese patients as well as the effect of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism, which may modify the influence of ADMA or SDMA on NO production. A total of 518 unrelated obese subjects were included in this study. Body weight, height and blood pressure were measured and data on self-reported smoking status were collected. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was assessed by the apnea hypopnea index (AHI). Blood samples were collected to measure serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, HbA1c (%), folic acid, vitamin B12, C-reactive protein (CRP), aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and IL-6 by routine methods. The NOS3 gene G894T and 4a/4b polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. ADMA, SDMA and arginine concentrations were assessed simultaneously using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between the occurrence of OSA and high serum ADMA levels, BMI above 40, age > 43 years, hypertension and male sex. Heterozygotes for the G894T eNOS polymorphism have the lowest serum concentrations of ADMA and SDMA, while no effect of the 4a/4b variants was observed. The results indicate that OSA in obese individuals can coexist with high ADMA levels, which appear as a potential OSA predictor.

IntroductionUterine fibroids (UFs) are benign, monoclonal tumours of the female genital tract that originate from the myometrium. They may be diagnosed in as many as 80% of women depending on the selected population. UFs depend mostly on steroid hormones. Elevated levels of oestrogens and progesterone are believed to be among the most important factors inducing their formation and growth. These facts suggest that oestrogen (ESR) and progesterone receptors are crucial in UF pathophysiology as well. Previous studies have shown that, in some populations, polymorphisms in ESR genes (e.g. PvuII) constitute an important risk factor for UFs.Material and methodsThe aim of our study was to investigate whether ESRα PvuII polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of UFs in Caucasian women of Polish origin. A total of 197 patients (114 UF-positive and 83 controls) were included in this retrospective cohort study. ESRα gene polymorphism PvuII (rs2234693) was assayed with PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).ResultsOur study found no significant difference in the occurrence of ESR PvuII polymorphism between women with UFs and UF-free controls in the selected population.ConclusionsOur results did not indicate a significant association between ESRα gene PvuII polymorphism and the risk of UFs in Caucasian women of Polish origin. More studies and comparisons between races are necessary to clarify the role of ESRα in the development and progression of UFs.