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 1 8 young. healthy normal white male volunteers. Blood samples were draw n two times before and three times after the stressor. The percents of lymphocytes and neutrophils, plasma cortisol and the beta2-adrenocept or density were significantly different among blood samples. There wer e no differences between samples in total white blood cell count, and percent of monocyte, basophil and eosinophil or beta2-adrenoceptor aff inity. The results suggest that cold pressor stress causes lymphocytos is and increases the lymphocytic beta2-adrenoceptors concentration. Me thodological issues, acute vs chronic condition effects. immune cell s ubset variations and the psychosomatic activity-affect model were disc ussed. Such adrenoceptor changes may provide one mechanism by which st ress can affect the onset of cardiac/hypertensive disorders.