Abstract
In 36 healthy subjects of various ages (14-76 years) the number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in platelets - as determined by [3H]yohimbine binding - and plasma catecholamine levels were measured. A highly significant negative correlation (r = -0.666, P less than 0.001) between the number of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and age was found; on the contrary, plasma catecholamine concentrations increased with increasing age. Thus, reduced responses in the elderly to adrenergic stimuli may be due to reduced number of adrenergic receptors.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have