Decreased generation of cyclic AMP in lymphocytes by beta-adrenergic stimulation in heart failure

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 31 normal subjects and 29 patients with heart diseases were stimulated by isoproterenol, and cyclic AMP level in lymphocytes was assayed. Simultaneously plasma norepinephrine concentration at rest was measured. In normal subjects the generation of cyclic AMP after the stimulation decreased with age. The response of lymphocytes in patients of NYHA classes III and IV was significantly smaller than in the normal, age-matched control. Plasma norepinephrine concentration of patients of classes II, III, and IV rose significantly above normal. In congestive heart failure, a significant correlation between plasma norepinephrine concentration and increase of lymphocyte cyclic AMP was demonstrated. From these results it was suggested that beta-adrenergic receptors in congestive heart failure were desensitized.