3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE DECREASES NORADRENALINE AFFINITY FOR RAT ERYTHROCYTE GHOST BETA(2)-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS

The effects of physiological levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate on noradrenal ine binding to rat erythrocyte membranes were studied. The binding of noradrenaline to membranes was determined by measuring the union of H- 3-noradrenaline in the presence of varying concentrations of 3-hydroxy butyrate. Scatchard plots of the results were used to determine that 3 -hydroxybutyrate provoked a loss of affinity of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptors for adrenaline. Thus high (but physiological) 3-hydroxybuty rate levels can lower the binding of the catecholamine, thus diminishi ng the extent or intensity of adrenergic-driven responses