Determination of Urine Dopamine

Abstract

Abstract The Duliere and Raper conversion of dopamine to 5,6-hydroxyindole is applied to urinary dopamine, which is concentrated and recovered by adsorption (pH 8.5-9.0) on and elution with dilute acetic acid from alumina. The spectrofluorometric readings are made at pH 5.3, with activation and fluorescence at 320 and 375 mµ, respectively. Proportionality between high and low internal standards is achieved when the 5,6-hydroxyindole reaction proceeds for 20 hours at room temperature. The increase of fluorescence with time adds specificity to the test. The recovery of standards added before adsorption on alumina compared with standards added after elution was 98 per cent. Urinary dopamine was determined in normal individuals asleep and awake and in those with a number of pathologic conditions. The mean values were decreased in groups with Parkinsonism, diabetes, and cirrhosis of the liver. The study included 2 patients with pheochromocytoma.