What is the Origin of Tissue Receptor Sensitivity?

Derived from endocrinology and pharmacology, 'receptor' denotes the binding site, and 'sensitivity' measures the dose-response relationship. In this lexicon, it emphasizes the peripheral tissue component of endocrine regulation.

What is the Mechanism of Tissue Receptor Sensitivity?

Sensitivity is influenced by receptor density on the cell surface and the integrity of the intracellular signal transduction machinery. Chronic overexposure to a ligand, such as sustained high cortisol, often leads to receptor internalization or desensitization, reducing the overall signal output. Conversely, optimizing cellular nutrient status and reducing local inflammatory signals can promote receptor upregulation and restore efficient signal transduction fidelity.

Tissue Receptor Sensitivity ∞ Area

Tissue Receptor Sensitivity

Meaning

Tissue Receptor Sensitivity describes the responsiveness of target cells to circulating levels of specific ligands, such as hormones or nutrients, measured by the resulting downstream biological effect. High sensitivity means a small concentration elicits a significant response, while low sensitivity indicates resistance or downregulation. Optimizing this sensitivity is fundamental to achieving hormonal efficacy without requiring supraphysiological concentrations of signaling molecules.