Methoxycatecholamines are inactive metabolites of catecholamines -
epinephrine and norepinephrine. Methanephrine is a derivative of
norepinephrine. Catecholamines are hormones produced by the medulla
adrenal glands. In addition, catecholamines are also secreted by tumors
chromogenic tumors, and this consequently leads to an increase in blood pressure
arterial pressure. Determination of free methoxycatecholamines in plasma is
useful in the diagnosis of catecholamine-secreting tumors a
also in assessing the cause of hypertension.