[Beta adrenergic receptors in circulating lymphocytes of patients with chronic heart failure].

Severe decompensated chronic heart failure is associated to increased levels of circulating catecholamines and decreased density of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors. In 14 patients with stable, class II-III heart failure we studied circulating lymphocytes to determine the number of beta adrenergic receptors, the dissociation constant of 3H dihydroalprenolol (kd) and the intracellular content of cyclic AMP (AMPc). Results (mean +/- SEM) were compared to those obtained in 10 healthy controls. The number of beta receptors was significantly decreased (105 +/- 16 vs 185 +/- 24, fmol/mg of membrane protein, p less than 0.01). No differences were found in Kd (1.65 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.36 +/- 0.28 nm) nor the level of AMPc (7.9 +/- 2.1 vs 7.1 +/- 2.9 pmol/mg protein), respectively. The decreased number of beta adrenergic receptors in the circulating lymphocytes may be related to the increased level of circulating catecholamines that have been shown to be present during exercise in these patients.