title: Role of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in sympathetically mediated thermogenesis.
abstract: This study was intended to investigate the role of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor populations in the sympathetically mediated thermogenesis in healthy lean males. In the first study, the beta 1-, beta 2-, and beta 3-agonist isoprenaline was infused in increasing doses with and without simultaneous infusion of the beta 1-blocker atenolol (Iso and Iso+AT, respectively). There was an increase in whole body energy expenditure (EE) after infusing Iso+AT (P < 0.001) and an almost twofold higher increase after infusion of Iso only (P < 0.001). Stimulation of the beta 2-adrenoceptors by a specific agonist (salbutamol) resulted in a significant increase in EE (P < 0.001). The effect of stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on EE was measured by infusing increasing doses of the alpha 1-agonist phenylephrine. EE did not change, whereas blood pressure (BP) increased (P < 0.001) and heart rate decreased (P < 0.01). In addition to this study, the alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta 1-, beta 2-, and beta 3-agonists norepinephrine and epinephrine were infused with simultaneous infusion of the beta 1- and beta 2-blocker propranolol. In both studies, there was no effect on EE, whereas BP increased (P < 0.01). In conclusion, in healthy male lean volunteers both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors are involved in the sympathetically mediated thermogenesis, whereas the alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta 3-adrenoceptors do not play a role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Blaak
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Baak
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kempen
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Saris
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta