THE CHEMICAL ESTIMATION OF EPINEPHRINE AND NOREPINEPHRINE IN HUMAN AND CANINE PLASMA. I. A CRITIQUE OF THE ETHYLENEDIAMINE CONDENSATION METHOD 1

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Abstract
Apparent concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine in human and canine plasma were estimated by 2 fluorimetric methods after the plasma catechols had been adsorbed on alumina and eluted in acetic acid. Eluates were analyzed by (1) the trihydroxyindole (THI) method, and (2) the ethylenediamine (EDA) method. The first method is reasonably specific for dihydroxyphenyl compounds with a side chain containing both an hydroxyl and an amino group. The EDA method will detect the presence of dihydroxyphenyl compounds in general. Epinephrine concentrations measured by the 2 methods agreed, while the norepinephrine concentration estimated by the THI method was less than by the EDA method. This suggests the presence of a catechol in plasma which is detected by the EDA but not the THI method, and which is neither epinephrine or norepinephrine.