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This article discusses the potential use of plasma symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) as a marker of kidney function in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The current measures of kidney function, such as creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), have limitations, particularly in patients with low muscle mass. SDMA, which is produced in almost all nucleated cells and solely cleared by the kidneys, may provide a muscle mass-independent marker of kidney function. The study found that plasma SDMA correlated more strongly with measured GFR than creatinine in two large cohorts of KTRs. Additionally, higher SDMA levels were associated with a higher risk of graft failure, independent of other factors. The findings suggest that SDMA may be a valuable marker of kidney function, especially in patients with low muscle mass. However, further research is needed to validate these findings in diverse populations and compare SDMA with other kidney function markers. [Extracted from the article]