The effect of urinary pH and flow rate on monoamine output.

Three-hour urinary output values of dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, 2-phenylethylamine and p-tyramine were measured in normal volunteers who had been induced, by pretreatment with ammonium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, to excrete maximally acid or alkaline urine. There were significant effects on the excretion of dopamine, adrenaline and 2-phenylethylamine, inversely proportional to urinary pH value. Adrenaline output increased with increasing urinary flow rate. There was a significant correlation between urinary concentrations of 2-phenylethylamine and p-tyramine. These findings may have important clinical implications.