Abstract
The excretions of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) metabolites and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic
acid (5-HIAA) were followed before, during, and after a marathon race in three patients
with cystic fibrosis (CF) and three healthy controls. Moderately increased DOPA excretions
in CFs compared with controls before, during, and after the race support the idea
that there is an altered metabolism of DOPA in CF. Noradrenaline, adrenaline, homovanillic
acid, and vanilmandelic acid were increased in CFs compared with controls mainly during
and after the race, which might be a reflection of the heavier working intensity that
the CF patients had in comparison with their healthy controls. 5-HIAA, the breakdown
product of serotonin, was higher in CFs in comparison with controls before and during
the run, but equal thereafter. This reflects an ameliorated serotonin metabolism after
the run.
Key words
catecholamines - cystic fibrosis - DOPA - dopamine - exercise - 5-HIAA - marathon
- urine