Abstract
To study whether changes in alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in human essential hypertension (EHT) might be genetically determined, we assessed platelet alpha 2- and lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor density in 48 normotensive children of normotensive parents (NT) and in 41 normotensive children with one EHT-parent. Both groups did not differ in age, body weight and height, blood pressure, heart rate, plasma catecholamine levels, plasma renin activity (PRA), and lymphocyte beta 2-adrenoceptor density. Platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptor density, however, was in EHT-children significantly higher than in NT-children. In NT-children, platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptors were significantly, inversely correlated with PRA, indicating that they might mirror renal alpha 2-adrenoceptors which inhibitorily regulate renin release. In contrast, in EHT-children PRA was not at all related to platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptors, suggesting an early (even in the normotensive stage) disturbance of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated regulation in renin release. From these results and those obtained in the experimental rat models of acquired hypertension, a model for the pathogenesis of the genetically determined hypertension is proposed in which a very early step in the development of hypertension is a genetically determined increase in renal alpha-adrenoceptors that causes enhanced sodium retention. This initiates a chain of events that finally results in increased peripheral vascular resistance and, hence, blood pressure. On the other hand, beta-adrenoceptor changes seem to be secondary phenomena due to the elevation in blood pressure.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.