title: Decreased beta-adrenergic receptor density and catecholamine response in male cigarette smokers. A study of monozygotic twin pairs discordant for smoking.
abstract: The effect of long-term cigarette smoking on beta-adrenoceptor density and catecholamine response was studied in 10 monozygotic male twin-pairs discordant for smoking, with an average discordance time for smoking of 23 years (range, 12-35 years). The density of beta-adrenergic receptors was 40% lower in the lymphocytes of smoking twins compared with their nonsmoking cotwins (beta-receptor density, 6.7 +/- 1.2 and 11.1 +/- 1.8 fmol/10(6) cells, respectively; p less than 0.05). The corresponding apparent Kd values were 31.7 +/- 5.5 and 26.7 +/- 5.4 pM, respectively. Stimulation of the lymphocyte beta-receptors resulted in significantly lower levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the smokers compared with the nonsmokers (16.2 +/- 3.3 vs. 29.2 +/- 6.5 pmol/10(6) cells, p less than 0.05). When subjected to submaximal exercise, the smokers had a lower level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in plasma (25.9 +/- 1.2 vs. 28.6 +/- 1.0, p less than 0.05) and a net decrease was seen in plasma free fatty acids in the smokers compared with a net increase in the nonsmokers (-15% vs. +19%, p less than 0.01). The total plasma catecholamine level was, in the basal state, significantly higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers (74.8%, p less than 0.05). The intrapair difference in plasma norepinephrine predicted well the intrapair difference in beta-receptor density (r = -0.84, p less than 0.001). We conclude that the autonomic neurohumoral response evoked by cigarette smoking results in downregulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in long-term smokers.
authors.affiliation: Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Laustiola
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lassila
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaprio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koskenvuo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000032:analysis; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D014427:Twins
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine