ADRENERGIC-RECEPTORS IN PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER - II - NEUTROPHIL BETA(2)-ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS - G(S) PROTEIN COUPLING, PHASE OF MENSTRUAL-CYCLE AND PREDICTION OF LUTEAL-PHASE SYMPTOM SEVERITY

Abnormal beta(2)-adrenergic receptor coupling to G(s) protein is impli cated in depressive disorders. Steroid hormones and antidepressants mo dulate beta-adrenergic receptor coupling, which may relate to the ther apeutic efficacy of antidepressants. We examined beta(2)-adrenergic re ceptors in 18 patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), in 15 control subjects during the follicular phase and in 12 patients du ring late luteal phase. Antagonist-measured receptor density, agonist- measured receptor density in the high- and low-conformational states a nd agonist affinity to both states were measured. Coupling indices to G(s) protein were determined from agonist-displacement experiments. Fo llicular beta(2)-adrenergic receptor density was higher in patients th an in control subjects, with a trend for higher receptor density in th e high-conformational state. The phase of menstrual cycle had no effec t on beta(2)-adrenergic receptor regulation in PMDD. Exploratory corre lations showed that the K-L/K-H ratio was related to anxiety ratings i n control subjects and %R-H was correlated with symptom severity in pa tients. In patients, follicular beta(2)-adrenergic receptor binding me asures were correlated with luteal symptom severity. These findings su ggest abnormal beta(2)-adrenergic receptor regulation in PMDD. Further exploration of the role of P-adrenergic receptor kinase, sex steroid hormones and antidepressants on beta-adrenergic receptor regulation in PMDD is warranted. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.