[L-DOPA test for evaluating in vivo catecholamine biosynthesis in normal persons and persons with different diseases]

Administration of 1-DOPA into healthy persons increased its excretion with urine and elevated the adrenaline secretion. The increase of catecholamines excretion was not observed in aged patients with hypertension; the data obtained suggest that the synthesis of catecholamines with utilization of DOPA was inhibited. In patients with ulcerous disease excretion of 1-DOPA was not increased after its administration, but secretion of catecholamines was decreased during the day time. Under ulcerous disease 1-DOPA appears to be used in process unrelated to synthesis of catecholamines.