Xerostomia in pre- and post-menopause and its interface with women's oral health: A Study on Estrogen Expression in Salivary Glands from Morphogenesis to Menopause:

• Grant number: 25/12079-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Vanessa Lourenço
• Grantee: Beatriz Pugliese Netto Lamas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12807-5 - Xerostomia in pre and post-menopause and its interface with women's oral health: investigation from bench to bedside, AP.TEM

Abstract

Menopause is a key milestone in female aging, bringing numerous systemic and local consequences, including changes in oral health. These changes warrant in-depth investigation, as they impact various aspects of women's quality of life. Among the most significant alterations is xerostomia, which compromises the health and function of the tissues and organs within the stomatognathic system. The mechanisms underlying menopause-related xerostomia remain largely unclear. However, a deeper understanding of this condition could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches and symptom management strategies, ultimately benefiting patients. To explore this issue, we will adopt the concept of citizen science by establishing a Women's Oral Health Clinical Observatory. Our study is based on the hypothesis that declining estrogen levels may affect the function of aquaporins in various systems, including the mucosa, salivary glands, and vasculature. This imbalance could trigger secondary tissue alterations, leading to oral mucosa dryness. Furthermore, these mechanisms may exacerbate the chronic inflammatory state associated with hypoestrogenism, intensifying menopausal symptoms. However, the understanding of how hormone expression in the salivary gland behaves during development and its role in morphogenesis is still incipient. In this context, this study aims to understand how estrogen expression occurs in salivary glands during development.