Ethanol and urinary catecholamines in man

Abstract

By measuring the main urinary catabolites of the catecholamines and serotonin, an attempt was made to elucidate which step in the metabolism of the amines is affected by ethanol in man. There was a Significant increase in urinary norepinephrine, dopamine, and metanephrine following the ingestion of a moderate dose of ethanol. Several possible enzymatic steps in the metabolism of the catecholamines where ethanol might act are discussed. The possibility that the results may have been complicated by the effect of ethanol on other physiologic functions is also considered.