Cardiovascular β-adrenoceptor sensitivity of undernourished subjects

Abstract

1. Eleven normal-weight male subjects (weight/height 2 (W/H 2 ) 19.0-225) from a good socio-economic background and on ad lib . food intake, and eight undernourished male labourers (W/H 2 16.4–18.6) on low energy intakes, were studied. 2. Comparison of cardiovascular responses to increasing single doses of the β-agonist, isoproterenol, showed a significantly greater positive chronotropic dose response in the undernourished subjects.3. Cardiovascular responses to head-up tilt were similar in both the normal-weight and undernourished subjects.4. Undernourished individuals may show an increase in β-adrenoceptor sensitivity which may be akin to a denervation type of supersensitivity as a result of a nutrition-related reduction in sympathetic activity.