title: Adrenergic receptors in human fetal liver membranes.
abstract: The adrenergic receptor binding capacities in human fetal and adult livers were measured to investigate the mechanism of the reduced alpha-1 adrenoreceptor response of the liver associated with a reciprocal increase in beta-adrenoreceptor activity in a number of conditions. Alpha-1 and beta-adrenoreceptor density were determined using 3H-prazosin and 3H-dihydroalprenolol, respectively, as radioligand. Heterogenous populations of beta-adrenoreceptors were found in fetal liver contrast to adult. Decreased alpha-1 and increased beta-receptor density were found which may relate to a decreased level in cellular differentiation. These findings may be important for the investigation of perinatal hypoglycaemia of newborns after treatment of premature labour with beta-mimetics. This is the first demonstration of differences in the ratio of alpha-1 and beta-adrenoceptors in human fetal liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falkay
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kovács
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D011224:Prazosin; D011247:Pregnancy; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol; D011224:Prazosin