Biomaterial Database

An improved spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of urinary metanephrines. 1987

J W Stroes, and J Putters, and H J van Rijn

Clinical and Haematological Laboratory, Dr. A. Mathijsen Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Spectrophotometric assays for urinary metanephrines are still widely used because of the simple equipment needed. These methods, however, have the major drawback of being very susceptible to interference. Using the original Pisano technique (Pisano, J. J. (1960) Clin. Chim. Acta 5, 406-414) we have often observed overestimation of the metanephrine concentration. By measuring absorbances at three different wavelengths we were able to considerably reduce this positive bias. With many patients this resulted in a significant downward adjustment of the values found for the total metanephrine excretion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008676	Metanephrine	Product of epinephrine O-methylation. It is a commonly occurring, pharmacologically and physiologically inactive metabolite of epinephrine.	Metadrenaline
D009647	Normetanephrine	A methylated metabolite of norepinephrine that is excreted in the urine and found in certain tissues. It is a marker for tumors.	3-Methoxynoradrenaline,Normetadrenaline,3 Methoxynoradrenaline
D004837	Epinephrine	The active sympathomimetic hormone from the ADRENAL MEDULLA. It stimulates both the alpha- and beta- adrenergic systems, causes systemic VASOCONSTRICTION and gastrointestinal relaxation, stimulates the HEART, and dilates BRONCHI and cerebral vessels. It is used in ASTHMA and CARDIAC FAILURE and to delay absorption of local ANESTHETICS.	Adrenaline,4-(1-Hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Adrenaline Acid Tartrate,Adrenaline Bitartrate,Adrenaline Hydrochloride,Epifrin,Epinephrine Acetate,Epinephrine Bitartrate,Epinephrine Hydrochloride,Epinephrine Hydrogen Tartrate,Epitrate,Lyophrin,Medihaler-Epi,Acetate, Epinephrine
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001547	Benzaldehydes	Compounds that consist of a benzene ring with a formyl group. They occur naturally in the seeds of many fruits and are used as FLAVORING AGENTS and fragrances, as well as precursors in pharmaceutical and plastics manufacturing.
D013056	Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet	Determination of the spectra of ultraviolet absorption by specific molecules in gases or liquids, for example Cl2, SO2, NO2, CS2, ozone, mercury vapor, and various unsaturated compounds. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry