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.