title: Reduction of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptor level in chronic alcoholics and rapid reversal after ethanol withdrawal.
abstract: Plasma catecholamine levels, lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptor densities and lymphocytic cAMP production were studied in 10 male subjects attending a withdrawal clinic after prolonged alcohol abuse. On admission the mean beta-adrenoceptor density was 29 +/- 9 fmol mg-1 protein (about 60% of the mean level of healthy control subjects, P less than 0.002). The following day a significant elevation of the beta-adrenoceptor level up to 46 +/- 19 fmol mg-1 protein (P less than 0.05) took place. This was accompanied by a parallel activation of the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated cAMP production of the lymphocytes. No major changes in beta-adrenoceptor levels or cAMP production took place during the next 7 days. Plasma catecholamine levels were elevated at arrival and decreased steadily during the withdrawal period. In conclusion, chronic alcoholism is associated with a reduction of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptor density and functioning, which is followed by a rapid reversal during abrupt ethanol withdrawal. Thus an accelerated responsiveness to catecholamines may occur during the first ethanol-free day of chronic alcoholics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mäki
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heikkonen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Härkönen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kontula
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Härkönen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ylikahri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000097:blood*; D013695:Temperance
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine