title: Agonist-induced regulation of adrenoceptor subtypes in cerebral cortical slices.
abstract: Cerebral cortical slices from rat brain were incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 h in the presence of isoproterenol, noradrenaline, or adrenaline, and binding affinities and densities of adrenoceptor subtypes were subsequently examined in homogenized tissue. The density of alpha 2- and total beta-adrenoceptors was estimated using the radioligands [3H]rauwolscine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA), respectively. The percentages of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors were defined by inhibiting the binding of [3H]DHA with the beta 1-selective antagonist metoprolol. Exposure of slices to noradrenaline and adrenaline significantly decreased the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) of alpha 2-adrenoceptors (48 and 37% respectively) without significantly affecting affinity; isoproterenol had no effect. Exposure to isoproterenol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline significantly decreased the Bmax of beta-adrenoceptors (by 60, 34, and 24%, respectively) but did not affect the affinity. Isoproterenol and adrenaline significantly decreased the density of beta 1-adrenoceptors by 75 and 24% and beta 2-adrenoceptors by 23 and 28%, respectively. Noradrenaline significantly decreased the density of beta 1-adrenoceptors by 42% without affecting the number of beta 2-adrenoceptors. These findings indicate that subtypes of adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex are differentially regulated by adrenergic agonists.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D007545:Isoproterenol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine