The effect of adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline and salbutamol on the resting levels of white blood cells in man.

Adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline and salbutamol were infused at the rate of 7 mug/min for 30 min into 5 healthy subjects. Pulse rates showed a marked increase after isoprenaline, a moderate increase after adrenaline and salbutamol, and a consistent decrease after noradrenaline. The total leucocyte counts increased in response to adrenaline and noradrenaline but remained unchanged after isoprenaline and salbutamol. The absolute lymphocyte counts showed significant increases after all the four agonists. Neutrophils increased in response to adrenaline and noradrenaline but remained unchanged after isoprenaline and salbutamol. 'Stress' lymphocyte counts rose in response to adrenaline, isoprenaline and salbutamol but not to noradrenaline. From these and other reported observations it is suggested that both alpha- and beta-receptors are involved in the mobolization of lymphocytes, while neither has any specific role in the mobilization of neutrophils.