• 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 266 (2), 308-314
Abstract
The distribution of .beta.- and .alpha.1-adrenoceptors was studied in rat lung by autoradiography using 2 ligands, i.e., [125I]-Iodocyanopindolol for .beta.-adrenoceptors and [125I]-Iodo-BE 2254 [[125I]Iodo-2-[.beta.-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethylaminomethyl]tetralone] for .alpha.1-adrenoceptors. .beta.-Adrenoceptors were widely distributed in the lung parenchyma and on the walls of the airways (bronchioles). The epithelium of the bronchioles showed a higher density of .beta.-adrenoceptors than the smooth muscle. The blood vessels (veins) seemed to have very few .beta.-adrenoceptors. .alpha.1-Adrenoceptors were found in .apprx. 10-fold smaller amounts than .beta.-adrenoceptors in the lung parenchyma and on the small veins. On the bronchioles, an extremely small number of .alpha.1-adrenoceptors was visible. [An inbalance between .alpha.- and .beta.-adrenoceptors may be involved in allergic asthma.].