Central and peripheral receptors in guinea-pigs exposed to simulated high altitude.

Guinea-pigs, chronically exposed to simulated high altitude of 6000 m, showed alterations in some, but not all, neurotransmitter-receptor systems. Thus, peripheral (cardiac) beta-adrenergic receptors were decreased in numbers (Bmax) with an increased affinity although no alterations in endogenous cardiac norepinephrine content were found. In contrast, H1-histamine receptors in the guinea-pig ventricle and brain showed no changes in Bmax or affinity. Dopamine receptors of the caudate nucleus showed no differences between control and altitude-exposed guinea-pigs, although previous reports demonstrated a significant increase (19%) in the content of endogenous dopamine of the caudate. Thus, chronic exposure to simulated high altitude altered beta-adrenergic receptors so that they were more sensitive to small ligand concentrations and less sensitive to large ligand concentrations.