title: Comparison of intranasal and transdermal estradiol on nasal mucosa in postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare nasal symptomatology and function and local concentrations of estradiol (E2), estradiol receptor (ERalpha), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in nasal biopsies of 20 postmenopausal women complaining of paradoxical nasal stuffiness before and after treatment with intranasal or transdermal E2.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy postmenopausal women willing to start hormone therapy (HT) were allocated to one of two groups, using a computer-generated randomization list. Ten postmenopausal women were treated with transdermal 17beta-estradiol 50 microg daily plus nomegestrole acetate 5 mg/day for 12 days per 28-day cycle for 6 months (Group A). Ten postmenopausal women were treated with intranasal 17beta-estradiol 300 microg/day (one spray delivery of 150 microg per nostril) plus nomegestrole acetate 5 mg/day for 12 days per 28-day cycle for 6 months (Group B). Fourteen fertile women undergoing nasal mucosa biopsy during plastic surgery were used as controls for the immunohistochemical evaluation (Group C). All women in groups A and B underwent evaluation of nasal stuffiness score, mucociliary transport time, rhinoscopy, and active anterior rhinomanometry at the beginning of the study and after, VIP, SP, and 6 months of HT. Nasal biopsies and evaluation of local concentrations of E2, ERalpha NPY were performed in groups A and B before and after 6 months of HT and in group C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both intranasal and transdermal HT improve nasal symptomatology and nasal mucosa appearance and reduce mean mucociliary transport time. The effectiveness of intranasally administered therapy at improving nasal function is significantly better than transdermal therapy. In comparison with premenopausal controls, untreated postmenopausal women of group A and B showed significantly decreased immunopositivity for E2, ERalpha, and SP. HT induced a significant increase in E2, ERalpha, VIP, and SP and a decrease in NPY immunopositivity. Intranasal therapy was associated with a significantly higher immunopositivity for VIP and SP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HT improves nasal function and symptomatology in postmenopausal women with paradoxical nasal stuffiness, modulating nasal mucosa function through an action on cholinergic, adrenergic, and sensory peptides. Intranasally administered HT is more effective at improving nasal function than transdermal HT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and Pathophysiology of Human Reproduction, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Spiezio Sardo
authors.forename: Germano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Acunzo
authors.forename: Annalidia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sammartino
authors.forename: Vieri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galli
mesh_terms: D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D017698:Postmenopause; D011959:Receptors, Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D011959:Receptors, Estradiol; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D004958:Estradiol