Catecholamine

Traditional methods for the quantitation of catecholamines [norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E)] relied on the production of detectable fluorophores. In the early fluorometric methods, NE and E were oxidized and rearranged under alkaline conditions to 

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are neurotransmitters in animals they have also been detected by GC-MS in Solanum tuberosum L potato. Such catecholamines were demonstrated to be involved in plant responses towards biotic and abiotic stress (iSwiQdrych et al. 2004 and references therein). 

Concentration of Protein-Bound Iodine in the Thyroid Gland of a Teleost Fish (Scarus guacamaia) in Relation to Body Weight (Aqe)  

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine Concentrations of the Human Adrenal Glands during the Fetal Period and in Early Childhood  

Age group iV Epine- phrine (mg % ) Norepinephrine (mg % ) Total catecholamines (mg % ) -.V t. % % Epine- Norepi-phrine nephrine  

Studies on the catecholamine levels of the adrenal gland in adult subjects have not revealed any certain variation with age. In an early investigation by Ingier and Schmorl (1911) which included analyses of adrenal glands from 409 individuals between 20 and 89 years, the calculated mean values for various decades showed a range only between 33 and 44 

Catecholamine Concentbations ok the Human Adrenal Glands in Subjects 

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Fig. 2. Chemical stmcture of the endogenous catecholamines, epinephrine (8), and norepinephrine (7), and several synthetic phenethano1 amines that alter...

Combined Hj /H2 receptor stimulation by histamine is responsible for vasodilation-related symptoms, such as hypotension, flushing, and headache, as well as for tachycardia stimulated indirecdy through vasodilation and catecholamine secretion. 

From a therapeutic point of view, selective agonists may become useful in the treatment of heart failure and catecholamine-insensitive cardiomyopathy, but only if compounds become available that do not stimulate gastric acid secretion or cause other unforeseen problems. 

Amino acid-derived hormones include the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine (qv), and the thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine (see Thyroid AND ANTITHYROID PREPARATIONS). Catecholamines are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine by a series of enzymatic reactions that include hydroxylations, decarboxylations, and methylations. Thyroid hormones also are derived from tyrosine iodination of the tyrosine residues on a large protein backbone results in the production of active hormone. 

Catecholamines. The catecholamines, epinephrine (EPl adrenaline) (85), norepinephrine (NE noradrenaline) (86) (see Epinephrine and norepinephrine), and dopamine (DA) (2), are produced from tyrosine by the sequential formation of L-dopa, DA, NE, and finally EPl. EPl and NE produce their physiological effects via CC- and -adrenoceptors, a-Adrenoceptors can be further divided into CC - and a2-subtypes which in turn are divided... 

Phentolamine (87), WB 4101 (88), and the site directed alkylatiag agent, chloroethylclonidine (CEC) (89) have been traditionally used to define a -receptors. Table 6 Hsts the various catecholamines and adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists. 

Neurotensin. Neurotensia [39379-15-2] (NT),j )-Glu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Try-Ile-Leu-OH, is a tridecapeptide that is cleaved from the ribosomaHy synthesized precursor, proneurotensia. NT is distributed through the peripheral and central nervous systems as well as ia certain other cell types (3,67). NT is colocalized with catecholamines ia some neurons. 

Catecholamine receptors are well estabUshed to be altered by a variety of homologous and heterologous influences (104). Thus, in hyperthyroidism, there is an increased level of sympathetic activity associated with increased expression of a- and P-adrenoceptors. 

Identification, isolation, and removal of (polyhydroxy)benzenes from the environment have received increased attention throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The biochemical activity of the benzenepolyols is at least in part based on thek oxidation—reduction potential. Many biochemical studies of these compounds have been made, eg, of enzymic glycoside formation, enzymic hydroxylation and oxidation, biological interactions with biochemically important compounds such as the catecholamines, and humic acid formation. The range of biochemical function of these compounds and thek derivatives is not yet fully understood. 

The modern usage of P2" go Asts for the treatment of asthma dates to 1903 when the effect of injected epinephrine [51-43-4] (adrenaline) C2H23NO2, (1 R = CH3) was investigated (see Epinephrine and norepinephrine) (33). As in some other modem treatments, eg, xanthines and anticholinergics, the roots of P2" go Ast therapy for asthma can be found in historical records which document the use of herbal extracts containing ephedrine [299-42-3] C qH NO, (2) as bronchodilators. Epinephrine and ephedrine are stmcturaHy related to the catecholamine norepinephrine [51-41-2] CgH NO, (1, R = H), a neurotransmitter of the adrenergic nervous system (see Neuroregulators). 

Ephedrine, which is not a catecholamine, has weak oral activity as a bronchodilator and although it has some direct action at adrenergic receptors, its predominant mode of action is by displacing norepinephrine from storage vesicules. 2"Agonists which are in use or are under investigation are the result of quests for improved selectivity, retention of potency, oral activity, and longer duration of action. 

Selected for clinical trials as a compound to calm agitated patients, imipramine was relatively ineffective. However, it was observed to be effective in the treatment of certain depressed patients (38). Early studies on the mechanism of action showed that imipramine potentiates the effects of the catecholamines, primarily norepinephrine. This finding, along with other evidence, led to the hypothesis that the compound exerts its antidepressant effects by elevating norepinephrine levels at central adrenergic synapses. Subsequent studies have shown that the compound is a potent inhibitor of norepinephrine reuptake and, to a lesser extent, the uptake of serotonin, thus fitting the hypothesis that had been developed to explain the antidepressant actions ofMAOIs. 

Derivatization of primary and secondary amines using 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate to form a nonpolar, uv-absorbing derivative has been reported (90,91). Amphetamine and catecholamine were used as probes to evaluate this procedure. The derivatives were well behaved and allowed separation in a short time. 

L-Tyrosine metabohsm and catecholamine biosynthesis occur largely in the brain, central nervous tissue, and endocrine system, which have large pools of L-ascorbic acid (128). Catecholamine, a neurotransmitter, is the precursor in the formation of dopamine, which is converted to noradrenaline and adrenaline. The precise role of ascorbic acid has not been completely understood. Ascorbic acid has important biochemical functions with various hydroxylase enzymes in steroid, dmg, andhpid metabohsm. The cytochrome P-450 oxidase catalyzes the conversion of cholesterol to bUe acids and the detoxification process of aromatic dmgs and other xenobiotics, eg, carcinogens, poUutants, and pesticides, in the body (129). The effects of L-ascorbic acid on histamine metabohsm related to scurvy and anaphylactic shock have been investigated (130). Another ceUular reaction involving ascorbic acid is the conversion of folate to tetrahydrofolate. Ascorbic acid has many biochemical functions which affect the immune system of the body (131). 

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