[Conjugation of catecholamines: basic and physiopathological aspects].

In man, the major portion of plasmatic and urinary catecholamines is found in a conjugated/sulfate form. The biological characteristics of the conjugates (formation sites, kinetics of appearance and disappearance from the plasma, genetic regulation, influence of biological factors) are different from those of the free forms. Physiopathological data show that the dosage conjugated catecholamines together with that of free amines, provides interesting informations on the integrative level of sympathetic activity and on the regulation of the catecholamines plasma concentrations by conjugation. In these two objectives, the dosage of DA sulfate proves very important.