Introduction: Menopause is defined as the cessation of menstruation, which is usually common in life's fifth decade in most women. The post-menopausal women usually complain of multifarious oral manifestation that develop overtime. Impact of hormonal replacement therapy not only alleviate the side effects but also enhance the oral wellbeing. However, this needs further research to be more justifiable.
Aim of study: 1) to investigate degenerative changes in the tongue epithelium of ovariectomized albino rats and 2) to study the effects of hormonal replacement therapy in attenuation of epithelial cell degeneration.
Materials & methods: Thirty adult albino female rats were divided into three equal groups: Group I: Control group, Group II: Rats were injected for 75 days with daily dose of 160μg of triptorelin intraperitoneally, Group III: Rats were injected for 75 days with daily dose of 160μg of triptorelin intraperitoneally followed by hormonal replacement therapy of estrogen for 14 days. By the end of the experimental periods all animals were sacrificed and the tongue of all rats were dissected and processed for light and immunohistochemical examinations.
Results: Examination of dorsal surface of rat's tongues in control group revealed normal epithelium with normal taste buds & connective tissue but the epithelium, taste buds cells and connective tissue in-group II were found to be destructed, group III revealed regeneration of focal areas of destruction that was seen in-group II. Immunohistochemical examination of PCNA expression of control group showed moderate PCNA expression, while group II showed weak PCNA expression, group III showed high PCNA expression.
Conclusion: Hormonal replacement therapy can relieve the oral signs and symptoms and improve the oral well-being in menopausal women.