24-hour rhythm of human plasma noradrenaline and the effect of fusaric acid, a dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor.

A 24-hour of basal noradrenaline (NA) levels in normal human plasma in the supine position was observed; higher NA levels during daytime and lower NA levels at night, especially early in the morning. This pattern of the 24-hour rhythm of plasma NA levels was similar to that of serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) levels. After oral administration of fusaric acid, a DBH inhibitor, the rhythm changed, and plasma NA levels increased at 3 h and returned to the initial level at 23 h. In contrast, plasma DBH activity was markedly inhibited during 23 h after fusaric acid administration.