Beta-adrenoceptor adaptation to acute exercise

• Published in: The Journal of physiology Vol. 344; no. 1; pp. 113 - 117
• Main Authors: Butler, J, Kelly, J G, O'Malley, K, Pidgeon, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford The Physiological Society 01-11-1983; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cyclic AMP - biosynthesis; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Isoproterenol - pharmacology; Lymphocytes - drug effects; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Physical Exertion; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta - drug effects; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta - metabolism; Physical exercise; Human; Blood cell; Leukocyte; Lymphocyte; Β-Adrenergic receptor; Blood; Adaptation
• ISSN: 0022-3751; 1469-7793
• DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1983.sp014927

The effects of strenuous exercise on lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor density and responsiveness in nine men were biphasic. There
was an initial increase in receptor density, seen immediately after exercise, with a subsequent decline to below pre-exercise
values. In parallel, maximum isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP production by lymphocytes was greatly increased at the end
of exercise and decreased thereafter. The increases seen at the end of exercise may be of functional significance and may
represent a response of the tissue to the demands placed upon it. After a time, however, a desensitization process takes over,
possibly with a protective role.