Expression of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in the pig uterus during inflammation

Under physiological conditions, noradrenaline (NA) and adrenergic receptors (ARs) are implicated in the function of the uterus. The role of NA and the expression of ARs in the inflamed uterus is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of inflammation on the levels of α1 (A, B, D)-, α2 (A, B, C)- and β (1, 2, 3)-ARs mRNA and protein expression and the localization of these receptors in the porcine uterus. On Day 3 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 of the study), 50 ml of either saline (group SAL) or E. coli suspension (109 colony-forming units/ml, group E. coli) were injected into each uterine horn. In the control pigs (group CON), only laparotomy was performed. Eight days later, α1D-ARs mRNA (P < 0.001) and protein (P < 0.05) levels and α2A-ARs protein level (P < 0.05) were increased in the inflamed endometrium, while the α2C-ARs protein level (P < 0.001) was lowered, as compared to the SAL and CON groups. In the inflamed endometrium, β2-ARs mRNA (P < 0.01) and protein (CON: P < 0.01, SAL: P < 0.001) expression was lower than in the other two groups, and β1-ARs mRNA (P < 0.001) and protein (P < 0.01) expression was higher compared to the SAL group. After bacterial treatment, α2A- (P < 0.001) and α2B (P < 0.05) -ARs protein levels and β2-ARs mRNA (CON: P < 0.01, SAL: P < 0.05) and protein (CON: P < 0.01, SAL: P < 0.05) expression in myometrium were found to be increased compared to both groups. In turn, in myometrium following E. coli infusion, the α2C-ARs protein level was lower (P < 0.01) than in the CON group. All studied receptors were present in the luminal and glandular epithelium, blood vessels and myometrial muscular cells of the gilt uteri in the E. coli, SAL and CON groups. The data show that inflammation changes the ARs expression in porcine uterus, suggesting their importance in the course/consequences of uterine inflammation. Those affected ARs may constitute a therapeutic target in an inflamed uterus.