Catecholamine excretion in smokers and nonsmokers

Abstract

The 24-hr urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine in nonsmokers was compared to that of a group of heavy smokers using a fluorometric technique. The 24-hr epinephrine excretion in nonsmokers was 6.5 ± 0.8 μg/24 hr; whereas the excretion in smokers was 12.1 ± 0.9 μg/24 hr, a statistically significant difference. There was no significant difference in the norepinephrine output between the two groups. The excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine was also determined at 30-min intervals before, during, and following heavy smoking in 15 subjects who normally smoked. The results indicate that the epinephrine and total catecholamine excretion levels increase significantly above control levels during periods of heavy smoking. Studies were also done on the effect of smoking one cigarette on the plasma epinephrine levels in three patients undergoing cardiac catherization. Samples were obtained from the inferior vena cava above and below the inflow from the adrenals. Results show that the epinephrine levels were slightly higher in the inferior vena cava above the adrenal inflow during and immediately following cigarette smoking in all three patients. epinephrine; norepinephrine; nicotine; sympathoadrenal stimulation Submitted on June 17, 1963