Vanillylmandelic acid

Vanillylmandelic acid
File:Vanilmandelic acid.svg
IUPAC name hydroxy(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)acetic acid
style="background: #F8EABA; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | Identifiers
CAS number	55-10-7 Y
PubChem	1245
ChemSpider	1207
MeSH	Vanilmandelic+acid
SMILES
style="background: #F8EABA; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | Properties
Molecular formula	C9H10O5
Molar mass	198.17 g mol−1
Y (what is this?)  (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox 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 (concentration μg /24 h) is assessed, along with creatinine clearance, and the concentration of cortisols, catecholamines, and metanephrines.

File:Noradrenaline breakdown.svg

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

Clinical significance

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

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

References

de:Vanillinmandelsäure sr:Ванилманделична киселина