Serum levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of catecholamines in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. METHODS: Serum epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the peripheral vein, portal vein and superior vena cava (SVC) were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography in 38 portal hypertensive patients, 28 idiopathic hypertensive patients and 34 controls, respectively. RESULTS: Peripheral venous E concentrations in portal hypertensive patients and controls were 57.5 +/- 37.4 ng/L and 23.5 +/- 11.2 ng/L, respectively (P < 0.01), and peripheral venous NE concentrations were 451.1 +/- 381.2 ng/L and 183.0 +/- 83.3 ng/L, respectively (P < 0.01). Compared with controls, peripheral venous E (54.9 +/- 39.9 ng/L vs 23.5 +/- 11.2 ng/L, P < 0.01) and NE (524.3 +/- 219.9 ng/L vs 183.0 +/- 83.3 ng/L, P < 0.01) in idiopathic hypertensive patients were also significantly increased. E and NE in SVC, portal vein and peripheral artery in portal hypertensive patients were also increased, but only the elevation of E in SVC was statistically significant (207.2 +/- 55.4 ng/L vs 83.7 +/- 46.7 ng/L, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results reveal significant metabolic disorders of E and NE in portal hypertensive patients, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.