BINDING-STUDIES OF PLATELET-ALPHA-2-ADRENOCEPTOR AND LYMPHOCYTE-BETA-2-ADRENOCEPTOR IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS

Radioligand binding studies were performed on 10 patients with cirrhosis and 10 healthy subjects. Bmax and KD of platelet alpha 2‐ adrenoceptors, studied using [3H]‐yohimbine, were similar in both groups (Bmax 24.9 vs 22.1 fmol/10(9) platelets, P = 0.47; KD 4.6 vs 5.5 nmol 1‐1, P = 0.56). Bmax and KD of lymphocyte beta 2‐adrenoceptors, studied using [125I]‐iodocyanopindolol, were also similar in both groups (Bmax 24.0 vs 27.2 fmol mg‐1 protein, P = 0.55; KD 49.6 vs 55.3 pmol 1‐1, P = 0.65). In this model there is no evidence of adrenoceptor down‐regulation in cirrhosis despite the increased sympathetic activity in this condition. 1990 The British Pharmacological Society