The plasma concentration of noradrenaline ([NA]) is higher than that of adrenaline ([A]) both in normal subjects and in heart transplant recipients (HTR). Since in both groups the myocardial density of beta1-adrenergenic receptors is much greater than that of beta2-adrenergenic receptors, the chronotropic response of a denervated heart to changes in plasma [NA] and [A] in the absence of reinnervation should be similar to that of agonist stimulation of beta1-receptors. To test this hypothesis, 17 HTR and 9 healthy subjects (CTL) performed incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer to voluntary exhaustion. Heart rate (HR) was recorded by electrocardiography. [NA] and [A] were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography at rest and at increasing workloads (w). In both groups, HR and [NA+A] increased with w, and HR with [NA+A]. Normalized HR values, plotted against the logarithm of [NA+A], fitted significantly logistic curves. The affinity constants were different, i.e. 2599+/-350 and 487+/-37 ng.l(-1), for HTR and CTL, respectively. The chronotropic effect of changes in [NA+A] in HTR was similar to that of combined beta1- and beta2-adrenergic activation evoked by applying isoprenaline to isolated heart myocytes (Brodde OE, Pharmacol Ther 60:405-430, 1993). These findings suggest that over time sympathetic reinnervation and the modulation of beta-receptors may take place in HTR, ruling out the hypothesis of persistent heart denervation.