title: Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of 125I-pindolol binding in Fischer 344 rat brain: changes in beta-adrenergic receptor density with aging.
abstract: Age-related changes in beta-adrenergic receptor density in Fischer 344 rat brain were examined using in vitro 125I-pindolol (IPIN) binding and quantitative autoradiographic analysis. Localized protein concentrations were determined using a new quantitative histological technique, and these were used to normalize the densities of receptors. Saturation binding studies in brain sections revealed 40-50% decreases in beta-adrenergic receptor density in the thalamus of 23-25-month-old and the cerebellum and brainstem of both 18-19-month-old and 23-25-month-old compared to 4-6-month-old rats. The loss of cerebellar beta-adrenergic receptors may be correlated with reports of deficits in sensitivity to beta-adrenergic-mediated transmission in the cerebellum of aged rats. No changes in specific IPIN binding with age were observed in rat cortex or hippocampus. In all areas examined no age-related differences were observed in receptor affinity. No changes in protein concentration were found in any of the areas examined in the different aged animals. These results demonstrate a region-specific loss of beta-adrenergic receptors with age in the brain of Fischer 344 rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Zahniser
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D010869:Pindolol / Q000378:metabolism*; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D010869:Pindolol