Effects of chronic electroconvulsive shock on the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors in rat brain: Immunological study

The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of chronic elec troconvulsive shock (ECS) on the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors in rat brain by Western blot using mAb beta CO2, a monoclonal antibody agains t beta-adrenergic receptors. Rats in ECS treated groups received maximal EC S (70mA, 0.5 second, 60Hz) through ear-clip electrodes for 12 consecutive d ays. The experiment was carried out in 14 discrete regions of the brain. Ch ronic ECS reduced the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors in frontal co rtex, temporal cortex, parietooccipital cortex, hippocampus and limbic fore brain, but not in other areas of brain. The regional specificity and the ma gnitude of the reduction of receptor expression are well correlated with th ose of the reduction of receptor ligand binding, which was determined using [H-3]dihydroalprenolol. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first re port to demonstrate that chronic ECS decreases the expression of receptor p rotein in specific regions of rat brain.