Effect of theophylline on neurotransmitters in preterm infants with apnea.
Urinary excretion of various catecholamine metabolites (4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid, homovanillic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxphenylglycol) was studied in preterm infants with idiopathic apnea treated with theophylline. Relief of apnea in these infants was not associated with significant increase in the urinary excretion of various metabolites. We suggest that theophylline does not seem to relieve apnea of prematurity by the stimulation of peripheral catecholamine systems.
D001049:Apnea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000652:urine; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000652:urine*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000652:urine
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D002395:Catecholamines; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid; D013806:Theophylline; D006719:Homovanillic Acid