title: Distribution of adrenergic receptor subtypes in the retractor muscles of the upper eyelid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify adrenergic receptor subtypes and their relative distribution in the retractor muscles of the upper eyelid, the levator palpebrae superioris, and the Müller muscle. The pattern of distribution of these receptors in the Müller muscle was further compared in patients with dysthyroid eyelid retraction and in normal subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Müller muscle specimens were collected from 19 patients undergoing ptosis correction and from 8 patients undergoing repair of dysthyroid eyelid retraction. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta 1-, and beta 2-adrenergic receptors was performed using antihuman rabbit polyclonal antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors were the predominant subtype in the Müller muscle, and beta 1-adrenergic receptors were the predominant subtype in the levator muscle. There was no significant difference in the staining pattern between specimens collected from patients with dysthyroid eyelid retraction and those from normal subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interaction between the alpha 2 and beta 1 receptors in the upper eyelid retractor muscles may be important in the control of the upper eyelid position and may contribute to the development of dysthyroid eyelid retraction. Specific alpha 2 antagonists could be developed and may be effective pharmacologic agents for the treatment of eyelid retraction.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Esmaeli-Gutstein
authors: B R
authors: BR
authors: Hewlett
authors: R C
authors: RC
authors: Pashby
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Oestreicher
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Harvey
mesh_terms: D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic