Dietary calcium deprivation increased the levels of plasma catecholamines and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes of adrenal glands in rats.

Rats on calcium-deficient diets developed hypocalcemia, hyperparathyroidism and hypertension and showed an increase in plasma catecholamines. Adrenal gland catecholamines were decreased while tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were found to be increased, as compared to controls. In contrast, no significant differences were found between controls and parathyroidectomized rats in plasma catecholamines, and catecholamines, TH and DBH of the adrenal gland. These findings seem to indicate that the genesis of hypertension in rats on a low calcium diet is secondary to hyperparathyroidism caused by a low calcium diet. Furthermore, some relation between catecholamines and parathyroid hormone seems to exist in the regulation of blood pressure in rats.