Effects of dexamethasone on the expression of β₁-, β₂- and β₃-adrenoceptor mRNAs in skeletal and left ventricle muscles in rats

Glucocorticoids are known to increase the density and mRNA levels of β-adrenoceptors (β-AR) via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in many tissues. However, the effects of these changes in the skeletal and cardiac muscles remain relatively unknown. We have investigated the effects of dexamethasone on the expression of the β₁-, β₂-, and β₃-AR mRNAs and GR mRNA in fast-twitch fiber-rich extensor digitorum longus (EDL), slow-twitch fiber-rich soleus (SOL), and left ventricle (LV) muscles by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Male rats were divided into a dexamethasone group and control group. The weight, RNA concentration, and total RNA content of EDL muscle were 0.76-, 0.85-, and 0.65-fold lower, respectively, in the dexamethasone group than in the control group. The weight, RNA concentration, and total RNA content of SOL muscle were 0.92-, 0.87-, and 0.81-fold lower, respectively, in the dexamethasone group than in the control group; these differences were significant. However, the weight/body weight and total RNA content/body weight of LV muscle were 1.38- and 1.39-fold higher, respectively, in the dexamethasone group than in the control group, respectively; these differences were also significant. Dexamethasone significantly decreased GR mRNA expression in EDL muscle without changing the expression of the β₁-, β₂-, and β₃-AR mRNAs. However, dexamethasone significantly decreased the expressions of β₂-AR and GR mRNAs in SOL muscle and significantly increased β₁-AR mRNA expression in LV muscle-without changing GR mRNA expression. These results suggest that the effects of dexamethasone on the expression of β₁- and β₂-AR mRNAs and muscle mass depend on the muscle contractile and/or constructive types.