[Alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in the liver parenchyma of children: the changes in cirrhosis].

In the present study alpha 1-adrenergic receptors have been investigated in liver parenchyma, obtained at the resection of prehepatic portal hypertension children without parenchymal affection (control group, n = 7) and the resection of children in parenchymal affection (group of cirrhosis, n = 8). It has been shown, that the binding of alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist 3H-prasozin (3H-PRZ) in liver parenchyma membranes of both control and cirrhosis groups is saturable and shows a high affinity. The Scatchard analysis of the binding data indicated that the binding site is characterized by Kd and Bmax of 0.6 +/- 0.12 nM, 92.8 +/- 8.0 fmol/mg, respectively, for the control group; and 1.5 +/- 0.4 nM, 254.1 +/- 28.4 fmol/mg, respectively, for the group of cirrhosis; (mean +/- SEM). It has been found that the number of binding sites of 3H-PRZ significantly increases in cirrhosis liver parenchyma in comparison with the control group. The results obtained suggest that alpha 1-adrenergic receptors play an important role in cirrhosis formation in children, showing liver parenchyma affection severity and its regenerative properties.