[Determination of beta-receptors on intact polymorphonuclear leukocytes in autologous plasma]

The binding of tritium labelled radioligand dihydroalprenolol was investigated on live polymorphonuclear leukocytes of 6 endurance trained (VO2 max. 65.7 +/- 2.0 ml/kg . min), and 9 non-endurance trained subjects (VO2 max. 52.0 +/- 4.0 ml/kg . min). The specific binding of dihydroalprenolol is seen as an indicator of the beta-receptor density. The specific binding of dihydroalprenolol is defined as the difference between the total binding and that amount of dihydroalprenolol that could not be displaced. The leukocytes were reincubated for the binding studies in their autologous plasma. The specific binding of dihydroalprenolol on live polymorphonuclear leukocytes shows a levelling off behaviour at a concentration of approximately 2 nmol/l dihydroalprenolol in trained as well as in untrained subjects. The specific binding amounts to about 85% (0.1 nmol/l dihydroalprenolol) to 51% (2.0 nmol/l dihydroalprenolol) of the total binding. Based on Scatchard analysis, Bmax was determined as 41.2 fmol/10(7) cells (trained subjects) and 21.6 fmol/10(7) cells (untrained subjects). KD is 0.44 nmol/l dihydroalprenolol (untrained subjects), and 0.49 nmol/l dihydroalprenolol (trained subjects). The beta-adrenergic binding sites are approximately 1300 (untrained subjects), and 2500 binding sites/cell (trained subjects). The specific binding of dihydroalprenolol on live polymorphonuclear leukocytes is significantly higher in trained than in untrained subjects. This training dependent change in beta-receptor density may be an indicator of an increased sensitivity to catecholamines.