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L‐homoarginine is associated with decreased cardiovascular‐ and all‐cause mortality
Author(s) -
Mokhaneli Maserame Cleopatra,
BothaLe Roux Shani,
Fourie Carla Maria Theresia,
Böger Rainer,
Schwedhelm Edzard,
Mels Catharina Martha Cornelia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.13472
Subject(s) - hazard ratio , medicine , proportional hazards model , homeostasis , arginine , population , gastroenterology , endogeny , endocrinology , confidence interval , physiology , amino acid , biology , biochemistry , environmental health
Background Increasing evidence suggests that L‐homoarginine, an endogenous analogue of the amino acid L‐arginine, may have beneficial effects on vascular homeostasis. We examined whether L‐homoarginine is associated with 10‐year risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in a black South African population. Methods We included 669 black South African participants (mean age 59.5 years), 143 of whom died during the 10‐year follow‐up period. Mortality data were acquired via verbal autopsy. Plasma L‐homoarginine (and other related markers) were analysed with liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Results Survivors had higher L‐homoarginine levels compared with nonsurvivors (1.25 µM vs. 0.89 µM; P < .001). Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that higher plasma L‐homoarginine predicted a reduction in 10‐year cardiovascular (hazard ratio [HR] per SD increment, 0.61; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.75) and all‐cause (hazard ratio [HR] per SD increment, 0.59; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.84) mortality risk. Conclusion Higher L‐homoarginine levels are associated with reduced risk of 10‐year cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality. Regulation of L‐homoarginine levels as a therapeutic target in the management of cardiovascular disease should be investigated.