Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and catecholamine levels in the plasma of patients with renal failure.

In 25 patients with end-stage renal failure and 9 patients treated with hemodialysis an increase in norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations in the plasma and a decrease in the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was ascertained. DBH, NE and E concentrations were determined in some patients before and after commencement of the chronic hemodialysis program. NE concentration increased further both before and after single hemodialysis comparing to previous levels, E increased only after single dialysis but DBH levels did not change. NE concentration in the blood showed a positive correlation with DBH activity in healthy persons and hemodialysed patients. The observed increase in the catecholamine concentrations and decrease in the DBH activity is an evidence of dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system.