[Urinary excretion of catecholamines by the transplanted kidney].

In 88 patients after kidney transplantation (Tx) and in 30 healthy volunteers the urinary adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine excretion in 24 hours was examined. The results were calculated per values of glomerular filtration rate (Ccr). In patients after Tx an increased adrenaline excretion was found and its relative predominance over noradrenaline in urine, as it is the case in renal insufficiency. The absolute reduction of noradrenaline excretion was, when calculated per Ccr values, proportional to the number of functional nephrons. The absolute dopamine excretion was proportional to Ccr values and when calculated per glomerular filtration rate it was significantly higher than in controls. The elevated values of fractional sodium excretion in group Tx suggest that in the residual functional nephrons the increased sodium supply may act as a stimulus for dopamine formation in the kidney.