Premium
Measurement of β‐Adrenergic Receptors on Lymphocytes in Normal Subjects and Asthmatics in Relation to β‐Adrenergic Hyperglycaemic Response and Bronchial Responsiveness
Author(s) -
MOTOJIMA SHINJI,
FUKUDA TAKESHI,
MAKINO SOHEI
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1983.tb04127.x
Subject(s) - receptor , medicine , endocrinology , adrenergic , adrenergic receptor , lymphocyte , terbutaline , epinephrine , agonist , asthma
The numbers of β‐adrenergic receptors on lymphocytes in normal subjects and asthmatic patients were measured by the use of [ 125 ]hydroxybenzylpindolol. The numbers of β‐adrenergic receptors per lymphocyte in normal subjects, drug‐free asthmatics and patients taking β‐stimulants were 1146±98, 845±114 and 582±47 sites/cell (mean ± SE), respectively. The differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05) among these groups, while no statistically significant differences were found in dissociation constants. A 42% decrease in the number of β‐adrenergic receptors per lymphocyte after administration of 6 mg/day of terbutaline for 7 days was noted in four volunteers. There was significant correlation ( r = 0.68, P < 0.01) between the number of β‐adrenergic receptors per lymphocyte and the percentage increase in blood sugar 20 min after subcutaneous injection of 4 μg/kg epinephrine. There was also significant correlation ( r = 0.78, P < 0.005) between the number of β‐adrenergic receptors per lymphocyte and the respiratory threshold for acetylcholine. These results suggest that β‐blockade and bronchial hypersensitivity in asthmatic patients may in part be due to a decreased number of β‐adrenergic receptors.