Distribution of Free and Conjugated Dopamine in Human Caudate Nucleus, Hypothalamus, and Kidney

Abstract

The occurrence of free and conjugated dopamine was determined by HPLC in human caudate nucleus, hypothalamus, and kidney. Free norepinephrine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in some tissues were also determined. Conjugated dopamine was found to account for 25% of the total DA in the kidney. Conjugated DA accounted for 2.9% and 5.1% of the total DA in the caudate nucleus and hypothalamus, respectively. These results indicate that conjugated dopamine is not homogenously distributed in human tissue.