Increased glucocorticoid receptors in diphenylhydantoin induced human gingival overgrowth

A pilot study on the glucocorticoid receptors in normal and pathological condition of human gingiva was carried out for a better perception of glucocorticoid action in gingiva. Gingival cytosol prepared from normal and diphenylhydantoin induced overgrowth was incubated with [3H]dexamethasone with or without cold competitor. Results obtained show a single class of receptor in both the conditions with no difference in binding specificity. Contrary to this, B-max was found to be significantly increased in the overgrown tissue sample compared to normal. The increase in glucocorticoid receptors in the gingival pathology is discussed.