Summary
To investigate the source of urinary Met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (MELI), 24-h urinary excretion of MELI and catecholamines (CAs) were examined in normal subjects and patients with tuberculous Addison's disease.
MELI was present in urine and 24-h urinary excretion of MELI averaged 813.8±446.9 ng/day in normal subjects (N=33, Mean ± SD). 24-h urinary excretion of MELI in normal subjects significantly showed positive correlation with 24-h urinary epinephrine (E) (R=0.392, P<0.05) but no correlation with that of norepinephrine (NE) or dopamine (DA). In two patients with tuberculous Addison's disease, 24-h urinary excretion of MELI and that of E were significantly lower than those of normal subjects.
These results indicate that the main source of urinary MELI may be adrenal medulla.
Key-Words
Met-Enkephalin
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Epinephrine
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Urine
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Correlation
