THE FLUORIMETRIC ESTIMATION OF EPINEPHRINE IN PERIPHERAL VENOUS PLASMA DURING INSULIN HYPOGLYCEMIA

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia

A fluorimetric method, based on the ethylenediamine condensation reaction, has been employed for the estimation of epinephrine in peripheral venous blood during insulin hypoglycemia.

After insulin administration, the range of estimated maximum concentrations was 0.51 to 4.11 microgm. of epinephrine per liter in dogs, and in human subjects 0.37 to 2.30 microgm. per liter.

In two subjects, infusion of 0.04 to 0.06 microgm. per kgm. per minute was required to produce stable and clearly demonstrable effects on blood pressure; at this time estimated epinephrine levels were 0.25 and 0.34 microgm. per liter.

Blood pressure changes and ballistocardiographic records, obtained during hypoglycemia and by infusion of l-epinephrine, support the presence of an increased level of epinephrine during insulin hypoglycemia, in the range of concentrations estimated by this fluorimetric technique.

It is concluded that the ethylenediamine condensation method, although insufficiently specific for norepinephrine, may be used for the estimation of moderate or gross serial changes in the concentration of epinephrine in peripheral venous plasma.