Characterization of beta adrenergic receptors in human cerebral arteries and alteration of the receptors after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The nature of beta adrenergic receptors in human cerebral arteries was characterized and alteration of these receptors after subarachnoid hemorrhage was examined using a radioligand binding assay. The specific 3H-dihydroalprenolol, a beta adrenergic antagonist, binding to human cerebral arteries was saturable and of high affinity (KD = 12.3 nM) with a Bmax of 790 fmol/mg protein. Ki values and Hill coefficients of adrenergic agents for 3H-dihydroalprenolol were as follows; propranolol, 4.1 X 10(-8)M, 1.01; isoproterenol, 1.7 X 10(-6)M, 0.80; epinephrine, 8.3 X 10(-6)M, 0.48; norepinephrine, 2.3 X 10(-5)M, 0.45; metoprolol, 6.8 X 10(-8)M and 7.9 X 10(-6)M, 0.62; butoxamine, 2.2 X 10(-8)M and 2.1 X 10(-6)M, 0.43. The analysis of inhibition of specific 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding by these adrenergic agents suggests that human cerebral arteries contain a high density of beta adrenergic receptors and that the receptors are classified into two types, namely beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptors. The calculate...