The maximal binding volume (Bmax) of β-adrenoreceptor in the lung tissues of guinea-pigs in health group

experimental asthma group and ear acupuncture treatment group was determined with radiological ligand binding analysis. The results were as follows: (1) the Brnax of β-a-drenoreceptor in lung tissues of guinea-pigs in asthrna group (52. 4±2g. 1fmol/mg protein) was significantly lower than that of healthy group (1a6. 8±14.0fmol/mg protein) (P＜p.01); (2) the Brnax in the lung tissues of guinea-pigs in ear acupuncture treatment group (84. 5±35. 1fmol/mg protein) was significantly higher than that of asthma group(P<0 .02)

and was similar to that of healthy group(P>0 .05). These suggested it was one of the mechanisms of ear acupuncture treatment on asthma to increase the nurnber of β-adrenorecepor in the lung tissues