Presence of 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and Metanephrine in Phæochromocytoma Tissue

Abstract

THE ethereal sulphate of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol, a metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine, has recently been demonstrated in the urine of normal individuals and was noted to be markedly increased in the urine of patients having phæochromocytoma¹. The free compound has not been previously demonstrated and the possibility that conjugated (nor)metanephrine gives rise to this compound could not be ruled out. We have now been able to demonstrate the presence of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in phæochromocytoma tissue from four different patients, as well as metanephrine in three of these tumours.