Changes in oral mucosal MUC 1 expression and salivary hormones throughout the menstrual cycle

Objective To investigate relationships among oral mucosal epithelial MUC 1 expression, salivary stress markers, and female gonadal hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. Subjects and Methods Thirty healthy women (25.9 ± 2.1 years) with regular menstrual cycle were included. Unstimulated ( UWS ) and stimulated whole saliva ( SWS ) were collected during the menstrual cycle. The expression level of oral mucosal MUC 1 was analyzed. 17 β ‐Estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA ), cortisol, chromogranin A (CgA), and blood contamination levels were measured from UWS and SWS . Results Significant positive correlations were observed between 17 β ‐estradiol and DHEA in UWS , cortisol and CgA in UWS , MUC 1 expression and DHEA in SWS , and among cortisol, progesterone, and DHEA in UWS and SWS . Significant negative correlations were observed between MUC 1 and cortisol/ DHEA ratio in UWS and SWS . When each phase was analyzed individually, MUC 1 expression showed significant negative correlations with cortisol, progesterone, and cortisol/ DHEA ratio in UWS and with progesterone and cortisol/ DHEA ratio in SWS during the mid‐luteal phase. A significant negative correlation was also observed between MUC 1 and cortisol/ DHEA ratio in UWS during the late luteal phase. Conclusions Stress‐related psychoendocrinological interactions throughout the menstrual cycle resulted in a decrease in oral mucosal epithelial MUC 1 expression and a weakening of oral mucosal defense.