Abstract |
The activity of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in plasma ranged from 2 to 100 units per liter of plasma in 82 apparently healthy subjects (ages 22 to 35 years). A nonnormal pattern of distribution was evident: 62 subjects had values below 35 units (18 +/- 1), while 13 of the remaining 20 subjects had values above 60 units (80 +/- 5). Those with low DBH activity had lower values for urinary catecholamine excretion (31 +/- 3 micrograms), with normal and stable blood pressure; those with high DBH activity had higher values for urinary catecholamine excretion (72 +/- 6 micrograms), with greater lability of arterial blood pressure. The DBH activity was significantly elevated in patients with labile (74 +/- 2 mm-Hg) or fixed (57 +/- 2 mm-Hg) essential hypertension. The results indicate that plasma DBH activity is low and that it falls within a narrow range in young adults with normal and stable blood pressure.
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Authors | S M Schanberg, R A Stone, N Kirshner, J C Gunnells, R R Robinson |
Journal | Science (New York, N.Y.)
(Science)
Vol. 183
Issue 4124
Pg. 523-5
(Feb 08 1974)
ISSN: 0036-8075 [Print] United States |
PMID | 4809562
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Catecholamines
- Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
- Norepinephrine
- Epinephrine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Blood Pressure
- Catecholamines
(urine)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
(blood)
- Epinephrine
(urine)
- Humans
- Hypertension
(blood, diagnosis, enzymology, metabolism, urine)
- Hypertension, Renal
(diagnosis)
- Norepinephrine
(urine)
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