Serum Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase Activity as an Index of Sympathetic Activity

¹ Special Treatment Unit, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, N.J.; Department of Biochemistry and Drug Metabolism, Hoffmann-La Roche, Nutley, N.J.

We evaluated the sensitivity of enzymatic determination of serum DBH activity as an index of sympathetic nervous system activity in the rat and man. Rat serum DBH activity increased 1.2-fold after 4 hours of swimming stress. In contrast, there was a relatively greater increment in plasma catecholamine concentration following briefer periods of swimming. Human studies revealed a marked variation in DBH activity among subjects, but little intrasubject variation. Human DBH activity did not appear to be influenced by blood pressure levels or postural changes. Sympathetic stimulation by cold pressor stress, handgrip isometric exercise, cigarette smoking, and ketamine administration inconsistently resulted in a small increase in serum DBH activity. It was concluded that enzymatic determination of serum DBH activity as an index of sympathetic activity is less sensitive than measurement of circulating catecholamines in the rat, and is of limited value in man.

Note:

The technical assistance of Eloris B. Wiggan and Margaret M. O'Neill is acknowledged.

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