Does chromogranin a respond to short-term mild physiologic challenge?
Plasma chromogranin A, norepinephrine, epinephrine, blood pressure, and heart rate were examined in 51 unmedicated volunteers at rest, in response to postural stimulation, and in response to a mild behavioral stressor. The short-term stressors led to the expected increases in catecholamines, blood pressure, and heart rate; however, chromogranin A was not influenced by these stimuli. Chromogranin A levels were not higher in the hypertensives, nor were they correlated with any of the other physiological variables. Although chromogranin A is coreleased with catecholamines from the sympathoadrenomedullary system, it does not respond to modest short-term postural or psychological stimuli that simultaneously evoke changes in other variables relevant to the sympathetic nervous system.
