抄録
In order to clarify the physiolosical and significance of glucocorticoid (GC) receptors in bronchoalveolar cell (BAC) fraction, we measured the content of GC receptors in BAC fraction obtained by segmental bronchoalveolar lavage from normal volunteers, control patients with localized lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis, and the patients with diffuse interstitial lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) . Segmental bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in a segment of right middle lobe or lingula, and was performed in the contralateral lung to the lesions in the control patients.
In con'rol groups (normal volunteers and control patients), the BAC fraction consisted mainly of alveolar macrophages. The mean content of GC receptors in BAC fractions from normal volunteers was about 10, 000 sites per cell. This value might reflect that of alveolar macrophages and was significantly higher than those of monocytes, lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in peripheral blood.
In the patient groups, the composition of BAG fraction was much changed compared with the control groups; increase of neutrophils in IPF and significant increase of lymphocytes in HP. In some patiets in this group, the contents of GC receptors in BAG fraction were decreased compared with control groups. The patients, who showed the same GC receptor content as control groups, responded well to glucocorticoids, but the patients, who showed lower GC receptor content, did not respond to glucocorticoids. These results suggested that the content of GC receptors in BAG fraction may be a parameter to glucocorticoid therapy in diffuse interstitial lung diseases.
