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1. Rectus abdominis muscle biopsies were obtained from 28 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. In membranes prepared from these biopsies beta-adrenoceptor binding was examined. The apparent affinity (KD) and the density (Bmax) of the receptors for the radioligand (−)− [125I]cyanopindolol were 28.5 +/- 2.7 (pM) and 25.9 +/- 2.1 (fmol mg-1 protein) (mean +/- s.e. mean) respectively. In forceps biopsies from vastus lateralis muscle from four healthy volunteers the values for KD and Bmax were 22.5 +/- 4.4 (pM) and 16.4 +/- 2.2 (fmol mg-1 protein). The binding characteristics for the radioligand were similar in the biopsies from the two muscle sites. 2. Inhibition of the radioligand binding by the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118551 (KI = 117 +/- 45 nM) and selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol (KI = 15229 +/- 5046 nM) suggests the dominance of beta 2- adrenoceptor subtype in human skeletal muscle. 3. There were no significant differences in the skeletal muscle beta-adrenoceptor densities or affinities between the young and older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]