Properties of α- and β-Adrenoceptors in Circulating Blood Cells of Patients with Essential Hypertension

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Abstract
The properties of platelet α2-adrenoceptors and of lymphocyte β2-adrenoceptors were determined in 40 male patients with established essential hypertension and compared with those in 40 male normotensives. The densities of platelet α2-adrenoceptors (assessed by 3H-yohimbine binding) and of lymphocyte β2-adrenoceptors [determined by (+)-125iodocyanopindolol binding) were in patients with essential hypertension significantly higher than in controls; there were significant positive correlations between the mean arterial blood pressure of the subjects and α2- and β2-adrenoceptor density, respectively. Coneomitantly with receptor densities, functional responses to adrenergic stimulation were exaggerated in essential hypertension: in platelets, the aggregatory response to (-)-adrenaline (via α2-adrenoceptor stimulation) was enhanced; in lymphocytes, the cyclic AMP response to (-(-isoprenaline (via β2-adrenoceptor stimulation) was elevated. It is concluded that the increased adrenoceptor density and responsiveness in circulating blood cells of patients with essential hypertension may reflect increased sympathetic activity, which might contribute to the elevation of blood pressure.

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