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Homovanillic acid in the urine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The reference values (norm) of excretion in the urine of homovanilic acid are up to 82 μmol / day (up to 15 mg / day).
Homovaniline beta-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid is the main end product of the metabolism of dopamine and norepinephrine, resulting from the oxymethylation and oxidative deamination of these catecholamines.
An increase in the release of homovanilic acid occurs with pheochromocytoma; neuroblastoma; hypertensive disease (during the crisis); in the acute period of myocardial infarction and angina attacks (due to the reaction of the sympatoadrenal system to pain and collapse); hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver (as a result of catabolism catecholamines); exacerbation of peptic ulcer (reaction to pain and collapse); hypothalamic, or diencephalic, syndrome (in connection with disturbances in the regulation of the sympathoadrenal system); under the influence of smoking, physical activity and stress.
The decrease in the content of homovanilic acid in urine is observed in Addison's disease, collagenoses, acute leukemia and acute infectious diseases (due to intoxication, the activity of adrenal medulla chromaffin cells is suppressed).
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