Early exercise training after renal transplantation and asymmetric dimethylarginine: the effect of obesity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS To assess, in a prospective cohort study of 238 renal transplant patients, our hypothesis that elevated ADMA levels may be influenced by physical exercise and obesity. METHODS Blood samples before and after six months were obtained from 116 transplant patients participating in an aerobic exercise (Group I). A control group consisted of 122 matched transplant patients who did not exercise regularly (Group II). RESULTS There were no significant differences in ADMA levels between both groups before the training program (Group IB vs. Group IIB). After six months of exercise, ADMA levels in Group I decreased (Group IB vs. Group IA : 3.50 ± 0.45 vs. 2.11 ± 0.35 μmol/L; p< 0.01) and were lower compared to those in Group II (Group IA vs. Group IIA : 2 11 ± 0 23 vs 3 25 ± 0 34 μmol/L; p< 0 01) Analysis of our results in obese renal transplant recipients (BMI B 30 kg/m(2)) confirmed a smaller effect of exercise training (Group IBO vs Group IAO : 3 75 ± 0 52 vs 3 45 ± 0 45; p< 0 05 and Group IAO vs. Group IIAO : 3.45 ± 0.45 vs. 3.74 ± 0.62; p<0.05). Blood lipids, HbA1C, insulin, and systolic BP were also affected by the training program. CONCLUSION Elevated ADMA levels were significantly decreased by early exercise after renal transplantation. The effect of exercise was smaller in obese patients.