THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOSTILITY AND BETA-ADRENERGIC-RECEPTOR PHYSIOLOGY IN HEALTHY-YOUNG MALES

Objective: We examined the relationship between hostility and mononucl ear leukocyte (MNL) beta-adrenergic receptor function in a sample of y oung healthy males. Method: Thirty subjects were selected for having s cored above 20 (N = 11) and below 14 (N = 19) on the Cook-Medley Hosti lity (Ho) scale. MNL beta-adrenergic receptor function was characteriz ed in terms of receptor density (B-max) and ligand-binding affinity (K -d) in homogenized cells, and intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosp hate (cAMP) responses to saline, isoproterenol, and forskolin in whole cells. Subjects also completed the Multidimensional Anger Inventory ( MAI), which assesses dimensions of anger. Results: Relative to men wit h low Ho scores, men with Ho scores above 20 showed lower receptor num ber and greater forskolin-stimulated cAMP. Moreover, high hostile men reported a greater frequency of anger, longer duration of anger, more frequent brooding, and a hostile outlook. Conclusions: These data indi cate that adrenergic receptor down-regulation is associated with hosti lity. This association may be linked to hostile persons' propensity fo r excessive and prolonged neuroendocrine responses to either psycholog ical stressors or the experience of chronic stress associated with fre quent and prolonged bouts of anger.