title: Excretion of biogenic amine metabolites in anorexia nervosa.
abstract: Urinary metabolites of catecholamines and indoleamines have been investigated in 16 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 13 controls using a HPLC-method. Vanillic mandelic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and indoleacetic acid were significantly decreased in the pre-treatment phase. In four patients long-term treatment including parenteral and enteral nutrition together with psychological methods resulted in an increase in the levels of these substances and this correlated with increased weight gain and urinary creatinine. It is concluded that both central and peripheral disturbances are involved in AN, particularly with regard to biogenic amine metabolism.
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine*; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000652:urine; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D001679:Biogenic Amines; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid