URINARY OUTPUT OF ADRENALINE, NORADRENALINE, AND 3-METHOXY-4-HYDROXYMANDELIC ACID FOLLOWING CENTRIFUGATION AND ANTICIPATION OF CENTRIFUGATION *

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Abstract
Nine Air Force subjects were centrifuged at 1G/5 sec. to 12G or were given a mock ride. Each subject was unaware as to whether he would receive a real ride or a mock ride. Therefore, it was possible to measure the sympatho-adrenal response to both centrifugation and anticipation of centrifugation. Urine samples were collected before and after each ride and bioassayed for epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE); the 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid was determined chromatographically. Under high gravitational stress, increased E release seems to be largely related to the emotions, while the NE release seems more closely related to the physical changes (hemodynamics, etc.) produced by centrifugation. Following the increased release of either or both E and NE, there is a commensurate rise in the urinary output of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid.