Decreased beta-adrenergic receptors in the leukocytes of depressed patients.
We studied beta-adrenergic receptor binding, using 125I-cyanopindolol as the ligand, in the leukocyte membranes of depressed patients, schizophrenic patients, and normal control subjects during a drug-free period. We also determined plasma cortisol levels and dexamethasone suppression in these subjects. The maximum number of beta-adrenergic receptor sites (Bmax) was significantly lower in depressed patients than in normal control subjects. Nonsuppressors on the dexamethasone suppression test tended to have a decreased Bmax in comparison to suppressors. There was no significant difference in the Kd between any of the groups. These results indicate that decreased beta-adrenergic receptor responsiveness in the leukocytes of depressed patients is probably due to a decrease in the number of beta-adrenergic receptor sites.
Pandey
G N
GN
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago.
Janicak
P G
PG
Davis
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010869:Pindolol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; C047975:cyanopindolol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010869:Pindolol; D006854:Hydrocortisone