Vanillylmandelic acid

From WikiMD's WELLNESSPEDIA

A metabolite of catecholamines

Chemical Compound
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider ID
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
Properties
Chemical Formula
Molar Mass
Appearance
Density
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Hazards
GHS Pictograms [[File:|50px]]
GHS Signal Word
GHS Hazard Statements
NFPA 704 [[File:|50px]]
References

Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) is a metabolite of the catecholamines epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). It is produced via the breakdown of these catecholamines and is excreted in the urine.

Biochemistry[edit]

Vanillylmandelic acid is formed by the methylation of homovanillic acid and the subsequent oxidation of the resulting compound. The process involves several enzymatic steps, including the action of catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase.

The breakdown of norepinephrine and epinephrine begins with their conversion to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (DHMA), respectively. These intermediates are further metabolized to vanillylmandelic acid, which is then excreted in the urine.

Clinical significance[edit]

The measurement of vanillylmandelic acid in urine is used as a diagnostic test for certain types of tumors that produce catecholamines, such as pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. Elevated levels of VMA in the urine can indicate the presence of these tumors, as they lead to increased production and breakdown of catecholamines.

Testing[edit]

Urinary VMA levels are typically measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or other analytical techniques. Patients are often advised to avoid certain foods and medications that can interfere with the test results, such as caffeine, vanilla, and certain antihypertensive drugs.

Related pages[edit]

References[edit]

Vanillylmandelic_acid[edit]

  • Vanillylmandelic acid structure
    Vanillylmandelic acid structure
  • Noradrenaline breakdown pathway
    Noradrenaline breakdown pathway

Sponsored Health Resource

W8MD weight loss success

W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa

Looking for physician-supervised weight loss, semaglutide, tirzepatide, or GLP-1 receptor agonist options? W8MD helps eligible patients in New York City, Brooklyn, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and greater Philadelphia with medical weight loss, sleep medicine, and long-term maintenance support.

GLP-1 specials: Affordable GLP-1 injections NYC and Philadelphia starting from $29.99/week and up for semaglutide with insurance accepted for qualifying visits, and $45/week and up for tirzepatide with insurance accepted for qualifying visits. Self-pay options start from $59.99/week and up for semaglutide and $69.99/week and up for tirzepatide.

Book a W8MD appointment · View GLP-1 specials

Paid promotional message. Eligibility, pricing, insurance coverage, medication availability, and results vary. Medical evaluation required.

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Vanillylmandelic_acid&oldid=6309089"