Correlation between salivary estrogen levels and oral epithelial cytokeratin 5 expression [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

• Published in: F1000 research Vol. 9; p. 186
• Main Authors: Handajani, Juni, Effendi, Nuraini, Sosroseno, Wihaskoro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Faculty of 1000 Ltd 2020; F1000 Research Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Age; Age Factors; Aged; Biotechnology; Brief Report; Cell growth; Child; Children; Cytokeratin; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Epithelial cells; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Epithelium; Estrogens; Estrogens - analysis; Female; Geriatrics; Humans; Keratin-5 - metabolism; Keratinization; Oral hygiene; Palate; Pathology; Physiology; Saliva - chemistry; Statistical analysis; United States > US; Cytokeratin 5; Epithelial cells; Saliva; Estrogen
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.22536.2
• ISSN: 2046-1402

Background: Estrogen expression levels may be associated with age and may affect keratinization of the hard palate. Keratinized epithelium expresses cytokeratin 5 and 14 in the basal layer. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the levels of salivary estrogen and number of cytokeratin 5-positive oral epithelial cells. Methods: A total of 30 female subjects were recruited and divided into children, adults and elderly (N=10 per group). Salivary estrogen levels and cytokeratin 5-expressing oral epithelial cells were assessed using ELISA and immunohistological methods, respectively. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post hoc LSD test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed that both the number of cytokeratin 5-positive cells and the level of salivary estrogen were significantly higher in adults but decreased in the elderly, as compared with those in children (p<0.05). Furthermore, the levels of salivary estrogen were significantly correlated with the number of cytokeratin 5-positive cells (r=0.815). The ANOVA result showed significance difference cytokeratin 5 expression and estrogen level (p<0.05). The post hoc LSD test revealed cytokeratin 5 expression and estrogen level to be significantly different in children, adults, and elderly participants (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that the profile of salivary estrogen and oral epithelial cell-expressed cytokeratin 5 may be positively correlated with age and depend on age.