Abstract
We have studied the relationship between free and sulfoconjugated catecholamines (CAs) in the plasma of patients with various cardiovascular diseases and have described the physiological significance of sulfoconjugated CAs in plasma. In the present study, we measured free and sulfoconjugated dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) in the plasma of patients with atherosclerosis (AS). Results showed that the plasma levels of free DA and NA in patients with atherosclerosis were higher than those in control subjects. Moreover, it was also observed that the plasma levels of conjugated DA and NA in patients had a tendency to be higher than levels in control subjects. These results suggest the involvement of free CAs in atherosclerosis and that elevated free CAs may be converted to sulfoconjugated forms in patients with atherosclerosis.
