Abstract
Objective: Evaluate the influence of oral contraceptives on the distribution and concentration of estrogenic receptors in nasal mucosa.
Method: There were selected 2 groups of 32 women, with regular menstrual cycles, who had undergone nasal surgery. 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 estrogen receptors.
Results: A decrease of beta-receptor in lamina propria cells with the use of oral contraceptives was observed. On the other locations there was not any 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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