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The effects of the menstrual cycle, race, and gender on adrenergic receptors and agonists
Author(s) -
Mills Paul J.,
Ziegler Michael G.,
Nelesen Richard A.,
Kennedy Brian P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1016/s0009-9236(96)90172-1
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , menstrual cycle , luteal phase , receptor , follicular phase , stimulation , adenylate kinase , adrenergic receptor , chemistry , hormone
Objective To examine possible effects of race, sex, and the menstrual cycle on adrenergic receptors ( β 2 and α 2 ) and agonists. Methods Sixty‐three normotensive black men and women and white men and women were studied twice, approximately 6 weeks apart. Women were studied once during the follicular phase and once during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. β 2 ‐Adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activity were examined on lymphocytes, and α 2 ‐adrenergic receptors were examined on platelets. Norepinephrine and epinephrine were determined in plasma. Results Women showed greater lymphocyte β 2 ‐receptor sensitivity (isoproterenol‐stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate; p = 0.009). Women also showed greater postreceptor adenylate cycle activity independent of the β‐receptor (forskolin stimulation; p = 0.006). When these differences were controlled for, the gender‐related differences in β 2 ‐receptor sensitivity were no longer evident. Black women had a reduced β 2 ‐receptor sensitivity in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase, whereas white women showed no significant change ( p = 0.018). Black subjects had lower lymphocyte β 2 ‐receptor density (B max ) values than white subjects ( p = 0.047). There were no significant effects on α 2 ‐adrenergic receptors. Conclusion The findings suggest that although there is no generalized effect of the menstrual cycle on adrenergic receptors in white women, such an effect may occur in black women. The findings also suggest that previously reported gender‐related differences in β 2 ‐receptor sensitivity may be due to gender‐related differences in postreceptor activity and not the β 2 ‐receptor per se. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 60 , 99–104; doi: