EFFECTS OF ACUTE STRESS ON LYMPHOCYTE-B(2)-ADRENOCEPTORS IN WHITE MALES

The effects of acute cold pressor stress on peripheral blood cells and lymphocyte beta2-adrenoceptor density and affinity were examined in 18 young. healthy normal white male volunteers. Blood samples were drawn two times before and three times after the stressor. The percents of lymphocytes and neutrophils, plasma cortisol and the beta2-adrenoceptor density were significantly different among blood samples. There were no differences between samples in total white blood cell count, and percent of monocyte, basophil and eosinophil or beta2-adrenoceptor affinity. The results suggest that cold pressor stress causes lymphocytosis and increases the lymphocytic beta2-adrenoceptors concentration. Methodological issues, acute vs chronic condition effects. immune cell subset variations and the psychosomatic activity-affect model were discussed. Such adrenoceptor changes may provide one mechanism by which stress can affect the onset of cardiac/hypertensive disorders.