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Vanilmandelic acid
Vanilmandelic acid
General
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SMILES ?
Molar mass ?.?? g/mol
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CAS number [?-?-?]
Properties
Density and phase ? g/cm³, ?
Solubility in water ? g/100 ml (?°C)
Melting point ?°C (? K)
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Basicity (pKb) ?
Chiral rotation [α]D
Viscosity ? cP at ?°C
Structure
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geometry
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Crystal structure ?
Dipole moment ? D
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
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NFPA 704
Flash point ?°C
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S: ?
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Supplementary data page
Structure and
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Spectral data UV, IR, NMR, MS
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references


Vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA) is an end-stage metabolite of the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine. It is produced via intermediary metabolites.

VMA is found in the urine, along with other catecholamine metabolites, including homovanillic acid (HVA), metanephrine, and normetanephrine. In timed urine tests the quantity excreted (usually per 24 hours) is assessed along with creatinine clearance, and the quantity of cortisols, catecholamines, and metanephrines excreted is also measured.

File:Noradrenaline breakdown.svg

Norepinephrine degradation. Vanillylmandelic acid is shown at top right. Enzymes are shown in boxes.[1]

Clinical significance[]

Urinary VMA is elevated in patients with tumors that secrete catecholamines.[2]

These urinalysis tests are used to diagnose an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma, a tumor of catecholamine-secreting chromaffin cells. These tests may also be used to diagnose neuroblastomas, and to monitor treatment of these conditions.

Norepinephrine is metabolised into normetanephrine and VMA. Norepinephrine is one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, which are found on top of the kidneys. These hormones are released into the blood during times of physical or emotional stress, which are factors that may skew the results of the test. [citation needed]

References[]

  1. Figure 11-4 in: Rod Flower; Humphrey P. Rang; Maureen M. Dale; Ritter, James M. (2007). Rang & Dale's pharmacology, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  2. Magera MJ, Thompson AL, Matern D, Rinaldo P (May 2003). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of vanillylmandelic acid in urine. Clin. Chem. 49 (5): 825–6.

Template:Tumor markers

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