Objective: The aim of our study was to determine serum ADMA, NO and arginine levels in patients with COPD.

Material and Methods: Seventy five COPD subjects participated in this study. To be selected patients had to have no other diseases. The control group was formed by twenty five appearentely healthy people. ADMA and argi nine levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatoghraphy with fluorecence detection. Plasma Nitrite/Nitrate concentrations were determined using a commercial colorimetric assay.

Results: Patients of COPD had significant higher values of ADMA (p<0.001), lower values of NO compared to control group (p:0.02). There was no difference between groups for arginine values (p:0.2), but the Arginine/ADMA ratio of COPD group was significantly different compared to control group (p:0.003).

Conclusion: Our study shows that plasma ADMA level is increased in the COPD patients. ADMA seems to be a possible new marker of prognosis of COPD. ADMA may play an important role in the progression of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients. ADMA may therefore represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of pulmonary hypertension.