β2-Adrenoceptors on lymphocytes from healthy nonpregnant and pregnant women and patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were studied in vitro by a radioligand binding technique (125I-hydroxybenzylpindolol) and related to in vivo responses to infused adrenaline. Healthy pregnant women had significantly fewer β2-adrenoceptor binding sites than nonpregnant controls (47.1 ± 5.6 vs. 73.6 ± 10.5 fmol × mg––1 protein), PIH patients displaying intermediate values. Adrenaline-induced increases in plasma cyclic AMP (a β2-mediated in vivo response) also tended to be reduced during normal pregnancy. The systemic vasodilatation evoked by intravenously infused adrenaline and the density of lymphocyte β2-adrenoceptor binding sites were positively related in the nonpregnant controls (r = 0.50), but inversely related in both the pregnant controls (r = ––0.40) and the PIH patients (r = ––0.70). These regression lines differed significantly. The present results indicate a reduction of β2-adrenoceptor function during normal pregnancy, which is less pronounced in PIH, as well as an altered relationship between β2-mediated vasodilator responses and densities of β2-adrenoceptors on lymphocytes during pregnancy.

Keywords:
β2-Adrenoceptors, Pregnancy, Cyclic adenosine monophosphate
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1988 S. Karger AG, Basel
1988
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.