Effect of Aminophylline on Urinary Excretion of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine in Man

Abstract

The excretion of catecholamines and the changes in plasma concentration of free fatty acids during aminophylline administration were explored. The relationships between cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac rate, and change in blood pressure under the conditions of these experiments were defined. Eighteen experiments were performed on eight volunteers. Blood pressures and heart rates before and during aminophylline infusion were recorded at frequent intervals, and urine and blood were collected during the control and infusion periods and in some subjects after the infusion. Loading with ethanol, glucose, or placebo before administration of aminophylline was used. These studies demonstrated that intravenous infusion of aminophylline increases the urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine in man, the rate of excretion of epinephrine being greater than that of norepinephrine. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma.