Catecholamines in plasma and urine at high altitude

Abstract

The concentration of free epinephrine and norepinephrine in plasma and 24-hr urine samples, collected from members of the Dutch Monte Rosa expedition (July 1963) was investigated during 17 days at various altitudes up to 4,560 m. The results indicate that the levels of both plasma and urine catecholamines were elevated during the expedition, the plasma levels reaching a maximum towards the end of the 12 days sojourn at 4,560 m. In general there was a twofold increase in total catecholamine concentration in the samples collected at high altitude as compared to control values at sea level. This difference was due to a significant increase in the norepinephrine concentration; there was little change in epinephrine level.