title: Decrease of beta-receptors in asthmatic and rhinitic patients.
abstract: The number of beta-receptors was determined in 60 atopic patients: 30 asthmatics with sensitization to domestic inhalant allergens and 30 rhinitic patients with sensitization to pollen and/or Dermatophagoides antigens. A L-iodocyanopindolol radio-active marker was used. Our control population (20 healthy individuals) showed 908 +/- 396 receptors/cell. The rhinitic individuals showed a 24% decrease in receptors in relation to the control population. On the other hand, within the asthmatic patients there existed 2 differentiated groups: inactive asthmatics whose receptors were found to be within the normal limits and active asthmatics with a 36% decrease in receptors in relation to the healthy individuals (673 receptors/cell) establishing a significant statistical difference (p less than 0.005). As a consequence these data seem to support Szentivanyi's B-adrenoreceptor theory.
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020120:Iodocyanopindolol; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D010869:Pindolol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D020120:Iodocyanopindolol; D010869:Pindolol