Objection To investigate the changes of insulin and insulin receptor in asthma patients.Methods Forty asthma patients were allocated into two groups：20 newly diagnosed treatment–naiuml;ve mild-moderate asthma patients，20 mild-moderate persistent asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroid. 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled as normal control.Blood samples were obtained from 40 asthma patients and 20 healthy volunteers.Total and differential leukocyte counts,blood glucose concentration and serum insulin concentration were measured.The level of lymphocyte insulin receptor in peripheral blood were assayed by flow cytomertry.Pulmonary function were performed at the same time.Results The numbers of eosinophil in the two asthma groups were significantly higher than those in the normal control group [(4.04±2.57)% and (4.24±2.34)% vs (0.90±1.38)%，Plt;0.05)，the levels of insulin and insulin receptor in the treatment-naiuml;ve group were significantly higher than those in the control group [insulin：(13.00±5.20)mIU/L vs (10.08±3.79)mIU/L，Plt;0.05；insulin receptor：(2.59±3.11)% vs (0.99±0.62)%，Plt;0.05).Conclusion Insulin secretion and insulin receptor expression in asthma patients are increased in the presence of inflammation.
