Decreased beta-adrenoceptors in polymorphonucleates in essential hypertension

Number and affinity of beta-adrenoceptors in human polymorphonucleates (PMN's) have been studied in patients with essential hypertension (n = 12) and in normal subjects of the same range of age and sex (n = 16). (-)Diidroalprenolol-H3 has been utilized as ligand. Membranes preparation was performed according to Galant (5). Number of beta-adrenoceptor is significantly decreased compared with controls (p less than 0.05), both with saturation curves and Scatchard analysis. Affinity of beta-adrenoceptors toward (-)diidroalprenolol-H3 is lightly increased but not significantly. These data could be explained on the basis of the desensitization occurring in hypertensive subjects by altered plasma catecholamines level, as in experimental in vitro systems.