Whitaker SB, Singh BB, Weller RN, Bath KR, Loushine RJ. Sex hormone receptor status of the dental pulp and lesions of pulpal origin.
ORAL SURGERY, ORAL MEDICINE, ORAL PATHOLOGY, ORAL RADIOLOGY, AND ENDODONTICS 1999;
87:233-7. [PMID:
10052381 DOI:
10.1016/s1079-2104(99)70278-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dental pulp and lesions of pulpal origin (eg, pulp polyps, periapical granulomas, and periapical cysts) exhibit receptors for the sex steroid hormones estrogen, progesterone, and androgen.
STUDY DESIGN
Staining for the receptors of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and androgen was accomplished through use of available immunohistochemical detection techniques. Pulpal tissues were obtained from freshly extracted human third molars; the other tissues were obtained from the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory archives. Ten samples of each tissue were processed and immunostained for these specific receptors.
RESULTS
Staining for estrogen and androgen receptors was essentially negative for all cell populations examined. However, positive progesterone receptor staining of varying degrees was noted in 8 of 10 pulpal specimens. Primarily, pulpal fibroblasts and odontoblasts exhibited positive immunoreactivity.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that although the dental pulp may be a potential target tissue for progesterone, evidence is lacking with respect to the other sex steroid hormones.
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