β�-Adrenoceptor Changes in Mononuclear Leukocytes During Pregnancy

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Description

Leukocyte β-adrenoceptors mirror similar receptors in the uterus. This study examined changes in β2-adrenoceptors and in cAMP production during pregnancy using peripheral mononuclear leukocytes isolated from 17 pregnant women and 5 nonpregnant controls. β2-Adrenoceptor density was determined by 125l-pindolol binding. cAMP production under basal and stimulated (10 μM isoproterenol) conditions was determined by radioimmunoassay. Groups were compared by unpaired t test. There was a nonsignificant decrease in the density of β-adrenoceptors during pregnancy. While basal cAMP production was unchanged during pregnancy, stimulated cAMP production was decreased (44% of control, P <0.001; 95% Cl 33%-56%). Stimulated cAMP production per receptor was lower in leukocytes from pregnant women and was not a constant relationship, but was increased markedly in leukocytes having fewer than 400 β-adrenoceptor sites per cell. There are significant changes in the coupling of β-adrenoceptors to cAMP production during pregnancy without changes in β-receptor density, affinity, or basal cAMP production.

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