Simultaneous fluorometry of urinary dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine compared with liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A simple fluorometric method is described for simultaneous assay of urinary norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine. The catecholamines are separated by boric acid gel chromatography and subsequently determined by use of a modified trihydroxyindole reaction. By the separation with boric acid gel, dopa can be eliminated, which interferes with dopamine measurement; consequently, the reaction is specific for catecholamines. This simple, rapid method was applied to urine specimens from normal adults. Values for urinary dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine agreed with those obtained by "high-performance" liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.