RADIOENZYMATIC(REA)ASSAY OF CATECHOLAMINES

Abstract

Catecholamines play a prominent role in neural and endocrine integrative mechanisms and exert specific effects on lipld and carbohydrate metabolism. Despite their physiologic significance adequate information regarding plasma concentration(concent) and variation under various physiopathologic conditions is lacking. By means of a REA blood concent of epinephrine(E) and norepinephrine(NE), in the fasting state(F) and in response to insulin induced hypoglycemia were studied. 16 children with endocrine disorders and 8 with no apparent disease(controls-C)were included in the study. Fasting levels of E and NE in C(Mean±SE)were 104±23 and 206±47 pg/ml. At 60' post insulin, E increased to 1111±381 pg/ml, P<0.05 and NE to 424±121 pg/ml, P>0.05. In 3 pts with Ketotic hypoglycemia(KH), E and NE at F and 60' were comparable to C group, 100±17 and 458±18 and 294±18 and 243±34 pg/ml respectively. 2 pts with Reactive hypoglycemia(RH) and 1 with GH deficiency had minimal E responses, 45 to 83, 17 to 32 and 33 to 50 pg/ml. A pt with panhypopit(PH) exhibited the highest levels of E and NE at F, 30 and 60'; 1619, 2498 and 2127 pg/ml for E and 1413, 6385 and 2475 pg/ml for NE respectively. In remaining pts, F and 60', E and NE were normal. Contrary to previous observations, E and NE concent and responses in pts with KH were comparable to C group. Surprisingly, however, low E concent and responses were found in 2 pts with RH, and markedly elevated E and NE levels, in PH pt. These observations imply the significance of the REA of catecholamines and warrant further investigation of their role in these endocrinopathies.

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