Lymphocyte beta-2-adrenoceptors and plasma catecholamines in fetal hypoxia.
Conclusive evidence has been furnished that the beta 2-adrenoceptor density in circulating lymphocytes is related to that of beta 2-adrenoceptors in tissues from the same subjects. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of fetal hypoxia on lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor density. The material consisted of 8 hypoxic newborns, 4 delivered by vacuum extraction and 4 by Caesarean section, after approximately 10 h parturition. The control group consisted of 8 vaginally delivered newborns without hypoxia. Umbilical plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline were significantly elevated in the hypoxic newborns. Their lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor density was lower (p less than 0.01) than that in the controls. A plausible explanation for this finding might be downregulation of beta 2-adrenoceptors because of elevated plasma catecholamine level.
Santala
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kuopio University Central Hospital, Finland.
Saarikoski
S
S
Castrén
O
O
Parviainen
M
M
D015536:Down-Regulation; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis*
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine