Psychological states and lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor responsiveness

There is a complex interplay between psychological states and biochemical factors. beta-Adrenergic receptor responsiveness is altered in some patients with depression and anxiety disorders, but the relation between various psychological states and receptor function in a normal population is unknown. We measured lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor density (Bmax), sensitivity (cAMP ratio), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in 39 hypertensives and 81 normotensives. We examined correlations between log normalized receptor variables and psychological states. Log Bmax showed negative correlations with age and with POMS tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and anger-hostility. Log cAMP ratio did not show significant correlations with POMS and STAI ratings. In step-wise multiple regression analyses, 36% of the variance in Bmax was accounted for by POMS tension-anxiety, and age. Our study suggests that increased POMS tension-anxiety was highly associated with down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors, even in subjects who do not have psychiatric illness. Numerous psychological states could be associated with changes of beta-adrenergic receptor responsiveness in a normal population.