title: Adrenaline and ion flux in isolated human leucocytes.
abstract: Hypokalaemia may be produced in man by intravenous adrenaline infusion, or as a result of pathological disturbances which have led to a high plasma adrenaline concentration. With isolated human leucocytes used as a cellular model, adrenaline at concentrations at and above 9 nmol/l increases the influx of rubidium (a model for potassium flux) into cells, with a simultaneous efflux of sodium. There is no effect on Na+,K+-ATPase activity in lysed leucocytes. Use of the adrenoceptor blockers timolol and atenolol shows that the demonstrated effect of adrenaline on coupled active transport of ions is mediated by beta 2-adrenoceptors.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D001262:Atenolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013999:Timolol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D001262:Atenolol; D013999:Timolol; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine