Loss of [125I]-pindolol binding to β-adrenoceptors on rat nodose ganglion after chronic isoprenaline treatment

Abstract

The nodose ganglion contains the cell bodies of afferent nerves which convey predominantly sensory information from the viscera to the central nervous system (CNS). Autoradiographic studies show binding sites for β-adrenoceptor ligands are present on sections of the rat nodose ganglion and also on the corresponding inferior vagal ganglion in humans, indicating the presence of β-adrenoceptors in these ganglia. Since prolonged stimulation of β-adrenoceptors in rats with the nonselective β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (400 μg kg-1 day-1 s.c.) for 14 days results in desensitisation and/or down-regulation of receptors in peripheral tissues, such as heart, kidney and blood vessels, the effect..