Alteration in Plasma Catecholamines During Insuline-induced Hypoglycemia and cold Pressore Test in Normal Subjects and Essential Hypertention

• Published in: The Japanese Journal of Nephrology Vol. 22; no. 8; pp. 1025 - 1036
• Main Author: Suzaki, Seishi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Nephrology 1980
• ISSN: 0385-2385; 1884-0728
• DOI: 10.14842/jpnjnephrol1959.22.1025

Modification of the original double-isotope radioenzymatic assay of Engelman, K. et al. permits the direct and simultaneous analysis of noradrenalin, adrenalin and dopamine in plasma samples of 100 fcl. This catechol-o-methyltransferase-catalyzed assay is sensitive to 10 pg for noradrenalin, adrenalin and dopamin. Employing this method, plasma noradrenalin and adrenalin were measured in 12 normal subjects and 12 essential hypertention at resting state and during acute stress. In normal subjects lying supine for 30 minutes, plasma noradrenalin and adrenalin levels averaged 176 pg/ml and 71 pg/ml respectively. In essential hypertention, plasma noradrenalin and adrenalin levels were significantly higher, with an average of 240 pg/ml and 86 pg/ml. Insuline-induced hypoglycemia and cold pressor test resulted in a greater increase in plasma catecholamines in essential hypertention than agematched normal subjects. These results suggest that the higher basal values of noradrenalin, adrenalin and the excessive discharge of noradrenalin and adrenalin into plasma during stress may play an important role the development and maintenance of high blood pressure in essential hypertention.