Quantitative analysis of catechol and 4-methylcatechol in human urine

A method was developed for the quantitative analysis of catechol and 4-methylcatechol in human urine. [U-¹⁴C]Catechol was used as an internal standard. Urine was treated with β-glucuronidase and sulphatase, acidified and extracted with ether. The ether extract was silylated and analysed by glass capillary gas chromatography. Catechol and 4-methylcatechol occurred in urine primarily as conjugates. Levels of catechol and 4-methylcatechol in the urine of nonsmokers on unrestricted diets were 10 ± 7·3 (mean ± 1 SD) and 3·4 ± 2·3 mg/24 hr, respectively. Nonsmokers on uniform restricted diets, in which the intake of plant-derived products was limited, excreted 4·4 ± 1·2 mg catechol and 81 ± 1·7 mg 4-methylcatechol/24 hr. Smokers on the same restricted diet excreted 6·8 ± 3·0 mg catechol and 6·1 ± 2·6 mg 4-methylcatechol/24 hr. These results indicate that diet is a major factor in determining urinary catechol levels and that the contribution of smoking is comparatively small. Catechol and 4-methylcatechol appear to have different dietary precursors.