title: Unconjugated methoxylated catecholamine metabolites in human saliva. Quantitation methodology and comparison with plasma levels.
abstract: A newly developed method for the simultaneous extraction and quantitation of the unconjugated levels of the catecholamine metabolites vanilmandelic acid (VMA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was modified and applied to studies of human saliva. The assay had a mean coefficient of variation under 3% for each of the metabolites. Levels of plasma VMA, MHPG and HVA were measured in 28 normal subjects and compared to their saliva levels, obtained before and after stimulation by mastication. Significant correlations were found between plasma and saliva MHPG and HVA, but there was no correlation between plasma and saliva VMA. Salivary MHPG and HVA can be reproducibly assayed and may be useful tools for indications of changes in central and peripheral catecholamine metabolism.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Drebing
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Freedman
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Waldo
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Gerhardt
mesh_terms: D002395:Catecholamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000032:analysis*; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid