ABSTRACT
To measure the serum levels of asymmetric dimethyl arginine [ADMA], nitric oxide [NO] and homocystine [Hcy] in patients with Behcet's disease as markers of endothelial cell dysfunction and to explain their role [s] in the disease pathogenesis and activity. This study included 14 male patients with Behcet's's disease and 10 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. Patients were divided into two groups: mucocutaneous and vasculitis groups. CBC, deferential leucocytic counts, ESR, CRP were performed as a guide for disease activity. ADMA, NO and homocystine, was measured in the serum of all studied groups by ELISA. Duplex ultrasono graphics of venous and arterial system were done for vasculitis group. There was significant increase in ADMA level in BD patients [0.918 +/- 0.240 micro mol/L] than control group [0.0.401 +/- 0.070 micro mol/L] with increase in vasculitis group [1.133 +/- 0.223 micro mol/L] than mucocutaneous group [0.756 +/- 0.049 micro mol/L]. The study reported significant decrease in NO level in BD patients [11.986 +/- 1.815 micro mol] than the control group [14.560 +/- 1.897 micro mol/L] with significant decrease in vasculitis group [10.333 than +/- 0.647 micro mol/L] than mucocutaneous group [13.225 +/- 1.312 micro mol/L]. There was also significant increase in Hey level in BD patients [25.271 +/- 4.980 micro mol/L] than control group [10.020 +/- 1.060 micro mol/L] with significant increase in vasculitis group [30.53 3 +/- 1.141 micro mol/L] than mucocuteneous group [21.325 +/- 1.896 micro mol/L. Increased ADMA with decrease NO and increase Hcy serum levels may be responsible for endothelial damage in BD and can be used as markers for endothelial cell dysfunction