Introduction
The catecholamines, or catecholamines, belong to the group of hormones with androgenic effects on the cardiovascular system. The catecholamines are so-called sympathomimetic drugs, either produced by the body or artificially synthesized substances, and act on the alpha and beta receptors. Among the catecholamines are
- Adrenalin
- Noradrenaline
- Dopamine
- Isoprenalin (drug substance)
- Dobutamine (drug substance)
- Dopeaxamine (drug substance)
The biosynthesis of catecholamine takes place in the adrenal gland and the nervous system.
First, the amino acid tyrosine is converted to levodopa with the help of the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. Dopa is then converted into dopamine with the help of the amino acid decarboxylase. In the next step, the dopamine is converted into noradrenaline by the dopamine hydroxylase.
In the last step, the norepinephrine – N- methyltransferase converts it into adrenaline. The catecholamines are broken down by the renalase. Catecholamines are used as drugs in the form of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dobutamine.
Catecholamines are used exclusively in emergency medicine in the event of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, allergic overreactions and shock. They are usually administered intravenously. Overdosage (wrong dosage form) can lead to heart attacks or cerebral hemorrhages. Catecholamines include adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which are known as stress hormones.