Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.  1999 Dec;9(4):442-446.

Changes in Urinary Excretion of Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Dopamine after Gravitional Acceleration Training

• Lee YJ

Abstract

Urinary excretion of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine) was determined in student pilots during high gravitational acceleration training. A total of 20 student pilots were exposed to +6GZ for 30 seconds using human centrifuge without anti-G suit and urine samples were collected before and after +GZ load. Each urine sample was adjusted to pH 2 with hydrochloric acid and stored at -20degreeC. Urine samples were derivatized with fluorescence using Toyopak SP cartridge and concentration of urinary catecholamines was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The amount of urinary excretion of catecholamines after exposure to +6GZ was significantly increased in comparison with pre-exposure level (epinephrine, 3.02+/-1.66 to 7.62+/-3.97; norepinephrine, 1.10+/-0.36 to 2.03+/-1.09; dopamine, 3.49+/-1.76 to 5.33+/-3.21 ng/100 mg creatinine). But, there was no difference in catecholamine excretion pattern between passed trainees and failed ones who experienced G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC). These data suggest that high +GZ stress was a powerful physical and mental stimuli to all student pilots and resulted in increased excretion of catecholamines. And the cartridge derivatization method was very useful in catecholamine measurement.

Keyword

G-training; Catecholamine; Epinephrine; Norepinephrine; Dopamine; G-LOC; Cartridge derivatization

MeSH Terms

Acceleration*
Catecholamines
Chromatography, Liquid
Dopamine*
Epinephrine*
Fluorescence
Humans
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Norepinephrine*
Unconsciousness
Catecholamines
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Hydrochloric Acid
Norepinephrine