Rat salivary glands as a model for the study of adrenergic receptor modulation

ABSTRACT

The properties (kD and Bmax) of alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors in rat submaxillary gland have been determined by the binding process of radioactive ligands. Data of dissociation constants compiled from several tissues by this technique closely agree with physiological measurements. The radioactive ligand binding method has afforded evidence for changes in receptor number elicited by procedures that induce either hyper or hyposensitivity of the response. Chemical sympathectomy with reserpine increases 10 fold the number of alpha-2 receptors in rat submaxillary gland, as determined by the binding of [3H] clonidine. Sympathetic surgical denervation also increases the number of alpha-2 adrenoceptors by about 50