Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of beta2-adrenergic receptor gene in rat liver during sepsis

Changes in beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR) gene expression in the rat liver during various phases of sepsis were investigated. Septic rats showed two metabolically distinct phases: an initial hyperglycemic followed by a hypoglycemic phase. Results showed that the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of beta2-AR gene related with decreases in beta2-AR number and its protein expression may offer a molecular mechanistic explanation for the development of hypoglycemia during the late stage of sepsis.