title: Evaluation of estrogenic receptors in the nasal mucosa of women taking oral contraceptives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is evidence that the nasal mucosa is affected by estrogen influence. Some authors have already detected estrogen receptors (ER) in the nasal mucosa. However, there doesn't seem to be a consensus about the concentration and distribution of the ER or the possible influence of hormonal contraceptives in the nasal mucosa.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of oral contraceptives on the distribution and concentration of estrogenic receptors in nasal mucosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of 32 women with regular menstrual cycles were selected. One group of women was taking oral contraceptives and the other was not. Samples of mucosa of inferior nasal turbinate were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for alpha and beta ER.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of oral contraceptives induced a decrease of beta-receptors only in lamina propria cells. In both groups, there was a predominance of beta-receptors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women who took oral contraceptives showed a decrease of beta-receptors in some cells of the lamina propria. These findings show us the possibility of effects of contraceptive pills on the cells such as fibroblasts, mast cells, plasmocytes, and other inflammatory cells.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology Department of Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. iedamillas@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Ieda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Millas
authors.forename: Bianca Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Liquidato
authors.forename: Hudson de Sousa
authors.initials: Hde S
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: Mirna Duarte
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Roberto Antonio Pinto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Paes
authors.forename: José Eduardo Lutaif
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dolci
mesh_terms: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta