Objective:To observe the change and clinical significance of glucocorticoid receptor on peripher alleukocytes frompatients with Graves disease.Methods:By radioligand binding assay

GR contents of peripher alleukocytes were determinated in 61 patients with Graves disease

20 healthy volunteers as controls.Results:The GR contents in Graves disease group were significantly lower than that of the normal control group(t = 7.389

P = 0.000 1).In 61 patients with graves disease

GR contents gradually decreased(F = 7.389

P = 0.000 1)with increased Graves disease severity.GR contents were negatively correlated with FT3

FT4 and TSH

correlation coefficients were 0.741(t = 5.643

P = 0.013)

0.689(t = 5.119

P=0.025)and 0.755(t =6.391

P=0.009)

respectively.GR contents were decreased(t = 4.274

P= 0.000)while patients complicated bythyrotoxic exophthalmos

but GR contents were not statisticallysignificantlydeclined while patients complicated by hyperthyroid heart disease(t = 0.273

P = 0.786) or thyrotoxic periodic paralysis were(t =0.961

P = 0.336).Conclusion:The binding capacity of GR on peripheral leukocytes in the Graves disease patients is lower than normal.This change may play roles in the pathogenic process of Graves disease and probably relate to the disease severity

thyrotoxic exophthalmos complicated.