Abstract
Objective: Evaluate the influence of oral contraceptives on the distribution and concentration of estrogenic receptors in nasal mucosa.
Method: Two groups of 32 women with regular menstrual cycles who had undergone nasal surgery were selected. One group of women was taking oral contraceptives, and the other wasn’t. Samples of mucosa of inferior nasal turbinate were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for alpha and beta estrogen receptors.
Results: The use of oral contraceptives induced a decrease of beta-receptor in lamina propria cells. On the other locations there was no statistically significant difference. In both groups there was a predominance of beta-receptor presence.
Conclusion: Women taking contraceptive pills had a decrease of beta-receptor in lamina propria cells.
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