Effects of β-adrenergic Stimulation on Bone-marrow Function in Normal and Sublethally Irradiated Mice

Summary

The effect of isoproterenol (IPR) on bone-marrow cAMP content was investigated in vivo and in vitro. In unirradiated CFW mice, the bone-marrow cAMP content was found to be elevated by the administration of noradrenaline, adrenaline and isoproterenol. After IPR administration, the increase in cAMP was biphasic with maxima at 1 and 15 min. An increase in cAMP content was also noted in bone-marrow of sublethally-irradiated mice, but no further increase was observed 15 min after the administration of IPR. Elevation of cAMP by either IPR or radiation was prevented by pretreatment with the β-adrenergic blocking agent—propranolol. IPR was also effective in increasing the cAMP content when added to suspension of bone-marrow cells. This effect was abolished by propranolol. IPR did not increase cAMP levels in bone-marrow cells isolated from irradiated animals. The results suggest that the differentiated bone-marrow cells have β-adrenergic receptors.