title: Evaluation of estrogen receptor-β expression in the epithelium of the oral mucosa in menopausal women under hormone replacement therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the ERβ expression in the epithelium of the oral mucosa in menopausal women treated with oral, transdermal or local (vaginal) menopausal hormone therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we included 60 women treated with oral, transdermal or vaginal menopausal hormone therapy. The study material was obtained from swabs taken from the buccal mucosa before administering HRT, and after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of therapy. We assessed estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) expression levels in subsequent swabs by immunohistochemical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest increase in the ERβ expression was observed after 3 months of oral and transdermal hormone therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral and transdermal HRT may be an effective method of treatment of oral discomfort in menopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: beata.sawczuk@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sawczuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gołębiewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazurek
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chyczewski
mesh_terms: D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta
keywords: Estrogen receptor; Menopause; Oral mucosa