Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in liver plasma membranes of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension: a quantitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in cirrhotic liver and the relationship between the changes and the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.


METHODS
The concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in the liver plasma membranes of posthepatitic cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were quantitatively measured using radioligand binding analysis.


RESULTS
Compared with 8 controls without hepatic pathological changes, the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 9 posthepatitic cirrhotic patients decreased (129.1 +/- 12.0 vs 142.1 +/- 14.1 fmol/mg protein, P > 0.05), dissociation constant (Kd) values increased (0.3945 +/- 0.0974 vs 0.2382 +/- 0.0548 nmol/L, P < 0.01), and the receptor maximal content (RMC) decreased (417.4 +/- 76.8 vs 739.9 +/- 167.6 fmol/g liver, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors may play an important role in the metabolic disturbances of catecholamines often seen in some cirrhotic patients, and have implications in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.
Zhang
Y
Y
Department of Surgery, People's Hospital, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100044, China.
Leng
X
X
Zhu
J
J
Peng
J
J
Du
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1