Biomaterial Database

Plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is independent of sympathetic activity in humans. 1989

E Eldrup, and N J Christensen, and J Andreasen, and J Hilsted

Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Herlev University Hospital, Denmark.

To clarify the origin of plasma DOPA (3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine), the relationship between plasma DOPA and acute or chronic changes in sympathetic activity has been studied. Plasma DOPA and noradrenaline (NA) concentrations were measured by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Administration of clonidine to healthy men decreased plasma NE markedly compared to no drug. Plasma DOPA decreased slightly but significantly with time, but values were identical after clonidine compared to no drug. Baseline plasma NE concentrations were significantly reduced in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy compared to diabetics without neuropathy, whereas baseline plasma DOPA concentrations were similar in the three groups investigated: 6.55 (5.03-7.26, median [interquartile range], n = 8) nmol l-1 in diabetics with neuropathy, 7.41 (5.79-7.97, n = 8) nmol l-1 in diabetics without neuropathy, and 6.85 (5.58-7.36, n = 8) nmol l-1 in controls. No relationship was obtained between baseline values of plasma NE and plasma DOPA. Plasma DOPA did not change in the upright position, whereas plasma NE increased significantly. Our results indicate that plasma DOPA is not related to sympathetic activity and may be of non-neuronal origin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011187	Posture	The position or physical attitude of the body.	Postures
D003000	Clonidine	An imidazoline sympatholytic agent that stimulates ALPHA-2 ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS and central IMIDAZOLINE RECEPTORS. It is commonly used in the management of HYPERTENSION.	Catapres,Catapresan,Catapressan,Chlophazolin,Clofelin,Clofenil,Clonidine Dihydrochloride,Clonidine Hydrochloride,Clonidine Monohydrobromide,Clonidine Monohydrochloride,Clopheline,Dixarit,Gemiton,Hemiton,Isoglaucon,Klofelin,Klofenil,M-5041T,ST-155,Dihydrochloride, Clonidine,Hydrochloride, Clonidine,M 5041T,M5041T,Monohydrobromide, Clonidine,Monohydrochloride, Clonidine,ST 155,ST155
D003920	Diabetes Mellitus	A heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by HYPERGLYCEMIA and GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE.
D003929	Diabetic Neuropathies	Peripheral, autonomic, and cranial nerve disorders that are associated with DIABETES MELLITUS. These conditions usually result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves (VASA NERVORUM). Relatively common conditions which may be associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy (see OCULOMOTOR NERVE DISEASES); MONONEUROPATHY; mononeuropathy multiplex; diabetic amyotrophy; a painful POLYNEUROPATHY; autonomic neuropathy; and thoracoabdominal neuropathy. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1325)	Diabetic Amyotrophy,Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy,Diabetic Neuralgia,Diabetic Polyneuropathy,Neuralgia, Diabetic,Asymmetric Diabetic Proximal Motor Neuropathy,Diabetic Asymmetric Polyneuropathy,Diabetic Mononeuropathy,Diabetic Mononeuropathy Simplex,Diabetic Neuropathy, Painful,Mononeuropathy, Diabetic,Symmetric Diabetic Proximal Motor Neuropathy,Amyotrophies, Diabetic,Amyotrophy, Diabetic,Asymmetric Polyneuropathies, Diabetic,Asymmetric Polyneuropathy, Diabetic,Autonomic Neuropathies, Diabetic,Autonomic Neuropathy, Diabetic,Diabetic Amyotrophies,Diabetic Asymmetric Polyneuropathies,Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathies,Diabetic Mononeuropathies,Diabetic Mononeuropathy Simplices,Diabetic Neuralgias,Diabetic Neuropathies, Painful,Diabetic Neuropathy,Diabetic Polyneuropathies,Mononeuropathies, Diabetic,Mononeuropathy Simplex, Diabetic,Mononeuropathy Simplices, Diabetic,Neuralgias, Diabetic,Neuropathies, Diabetic,Neuropathies, Diabetic Autonomic,Neuropathies, Painful Diabetic,Neuropathy, Diabetic,Neuropathy, Diabetic Autonomic,Neuropathy, Painful Diabetic,Painful Diabetic Neuropathies,Painful Diabetic Neuropathy,Polyneuropathies, Diabetic,Polyneuropathies, Diabetic Asymmetric,Polyneuropathy, Diabetic,Polyneuropathy, Diabetic Asymmetric,Simplex, Diabetic Mononeuropathy,Simplices, Diabetic Mononeuropathy
D004295	Dihydroxyphenylalanine	A beta-hydroxylated derivative of phenylalanine. The D-form of dihydroxyphenylalanine has less physiologic activity than the L-form and is commonly used experimentally to determine whether the pharmacological effects of LEVODOPA are stereospecific.	Dopa,3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,3-Hydroxy-DL-tyrosine,Dihydroxyphenylalanine Hydrochloride, (2:1),beta-Hydroxytyrosine,3 Hydroxy DL tyrosine,3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,beta Hydroxytyrosine
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man