Platelet and brain α2-adrenoceptors and cardiovascular sensitivity to agonists in dogs suffering from endotoxic shock

• Published in: Fundamental & clinical pharmacology 1998-09, Vol.12 (5), p.498-509
• Main Authors: Hikasa, Y, Fukui, H, Sato, Y, Ogasawara, S, Matsuda, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; brain; cardiovascular response; endotoxin; General aspects; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; platelet; α2-adrenoceptor
• ISSN: 0767-3981; 1472-8206
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.1998.tb00978.x

Summary— We examined the changes in α2‐adrenoceptor binding on platelet and brain membranes of dogs treated with a non‐lethal dose of endotoxin (0.1 mg/kg intravenously), and the α2‐adrenoceptor mediated cardiovascular effects during endotoxin shock. At 2 h, 24 h, and 7 days after endotoxin administration, the number of binding sites (Bmax) of [3H]yohimbine binding decreased and equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) increased in platelets, whereas both Bmax and Kd decreased in either cerebral cortex or medulla oblongata. After 30 days of endotoxin administration, there were no significant differences in Bmax or Kd between the treated and untreated animals in both platelets and brain tissues. Significant positive correlations were observed for Bmax values between platelets and brain tissues, although negative correlations for Kd values between platelets and brain were not significant. Significant negative correlations were also observed between plasma catecholamine concentrations and platelet α2‐adrenoceptor number, and between plasma noradrenaline and medulla α2‐adrenoceptor number. Pretreatment with E coli endotoxin diminished cardiovascular effects such as bradycardia, hypotension, and increase in systemic vascular resistance induced by either iv clonidine or xylazine. This suggests that α‐adrenoceptor activity is impaired in the central nervous system as well as in the peripheral vascular system during endotoxin shock. Therefore, platelets may in part represent a good model which reflects the α2‐adrenoceptor changes in the central nervous system and peripheral vascular system during and after endotoxin shock.