[Effects of non-lethal scalding on the density and affinity of beta adrenoreceptors in cardiac muscle in rats].

Our results indicate changes in both Bmax and KD of the beta-adrenergic receptors in the ventricular heart muscle of the rat, submitted to non-lethal scalding, even in the early posttraumatic period. The changes of heart, plasma and urine noradrenaline and adrenaline contents indicate significant increase in sympatho-adrenal activity after non-lethal scalding. The parallel changes of the beta-adrenergic receptor characteristics, which depend on the changes of catecholamines in the heart muscle and plasma only at certain time intervals after trauma, tend to preserve normal-control values.