Table 4.

Studies reporting effects and interactions of SSH and salivary glands.

	Progestagens	Androgens	Estrogens
Salivary glands
Receptors		AR are expressed in parotid, submandibular and minor salivary glands (136). AR are expressed in minor sebaceous salivary glands (137).	ER is expressed in submandibular, parotid and minor salivary glands of pre- and post-menopausal women (119). ERβ is expressed in submandibular, parotid and minor salivary glands of men and women in acinar and ductal cells (39). Expression of ERα, ERβ1 and ERβ2 was detected in minor salivary glands (138).
Metabolism	Parotid and submandibular glands are capable of metabolizing progesterone and testosterone in vitro (139).		Cultured salivary gland cells exposed to estrogen showed a significant inhibition of IFN-γ-induced ICAM-1 expression (138).

AR, androgen receptor; ER, estrogen receptor.