Little K Y, Kirkman J A, Duncan G E
Psychobiology Laboratory/116-A, Ann Arbor V.A.M.C., MI 48105, USA.
J Pineal Res. 1996 Jan;20(1):15-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.1996.tb00233.x.
The secretion of melatonin by the pineal has been promoted as a direct monitor of adrenergic function in depressive illness. However, discrepant findings have been reported, possibly reflecting a complex adrenergic regulation of pineal output. In order to clarify the anatomical localization and relative density of beta-adrenergic receptors and their subtypes in human pineal, quantitative autoradiographic analysis was conducted of beta-adrenergic receptors in postmortem specimens using the high affinity radioligand 125I-pindolol. Dense specific binding was found throughout the gland. beta 1 -adrenergic receptors were more numerous, but beta 2-receptors were present in an overlapping anatomical distribution with beta 1-receptors.
