Catecholamines and blood pressure regulation

Catecholamines (CAs) play a central role in the regulation of blood pressure. Sympathetic adrenal effects are ultimately elicited by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine and the hormone epinephrine. Their release is under the control of higher centers and is finely modulated by several factors such as presynaptic receptors. Recent evidences suggest that also the peripheral dopaminergic system can participate in blood pressure regulation intervening in the blood flow regulation of some regions, and in sodium-water balance. The measurement of CAs in biological fluids has greatly enhanced our knowledge on the mechanisms regulating blood pressure and is widely applied in cardiovascular research. Clinical applications of CA measurement are still limited to the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and to the differential diagnosis of hypotensive syndromes.