Time-related asymmetric changes of brain microvessel beta-adrenergic receptors in the two hemispheres after carotid...

The effect of short term and long term ischemia induced by right carotid occlusion was studied on beta-adrenergic receptor function in rat cerebral microvessels. The results show a different time-dependent responsiveness of the two hemispheres to ischemia, with a pronounced and more persistent decrease in the number of capillary beta-receptors in the left side of the brain. The data suggest the existence of asymmetries in the control of brain microvasculature which may mediate the different time-course of beta-receptor changes in response to ischemia.