β1 and β2 Adrenoceptor Ligand and mRNA Expression in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

β1 and β2 adrenoceptor ligand activity has been shown to be down-regulated in failing myocardium. It is the aim of this study to test the hypothesis that also mRNA levels are down-regulated in dilated cardiomyopathy. β1 and β2 adrenoceptor ligand activities and mRNA expressions were analyzed in left ventricular biopsies from six organ donor hearts, in papillary muscles from seven patients operated on for mitral regurgitation, and in six explanted hearts as the result of dilated cardiomyophathy. mRNA levels were determined by solution hybridization. β1 ligand activity was decreased in the cases of mitral regurgitation (p