[Changes in human pulmonary receptors in tuberculosis, chronic pneumonia and cancer]

The authors studied changes in beta- and alpha 1-adrenoceptors (beta-AC, alpha 1-AC) as well as in m-cholinoceptors in tuberculosis, pneumonia and cancer. Specimens of the lung parenchyma were obtained at thoracic surgery from 43 patients. Relevant ligands binding to the receptors was evaluated by incubation of the membrane proteins with radioligands varying in concentrations. Irrespective of the inflammation variant, beta-AC and alpha 1-AC levels were found decreased this being an correlation with the scope of fibrous and destructive involvement. The degree of the process chronicity and advance was judged from a decline in the binding parameters for beta-AC and alpha 1 AC. A dramatic fall in alpha 1 AC occurred in tuberculosis. This may be related to microcirculatory failure and vascular deformity. The levels of m-cholinoceptors underwent insignificant changes in pulmonary inflammation, whereas lung cancer displayed their sharp rise.