title: Topical application of betahistine improves eustachian tube function in an animal model.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Betahistine dihydrochloride, a drug used widely in the systemic treatment of balance disorders such as Ménière's disease, was found to improve eustachian tube function when applied topically in the nasopharynx of rats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study tested the effect of betahistine, a histamine receptor agonist, on eustachian tube function and tested the involvement of H1 and H3 histamine receptors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eustachian tube function was measured in anaesthetized rats while middle ear pressure was increased and then monitored during induced swallowing. Betahistine and other drugs were applied topically in the nasopharynx, bulla and epipharynx, and administered intraperitoneally.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Systemic application of betahistine hardly changed eustachian tube function, but topical application significantly improved it. The action of topical betahistine was unaffected by the HI receptor antagonist mepyramine and was mimicked by the H3 agonist, ciproxifan.
authors: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Burkhard
authors: B
authors: Franz
authors: Anthony D
authors: AD
authors: Shafton
authors: Colin R
authors: CR
authors: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001621:Betahistine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000187:drug effects*; D017442:Histamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017442:Histamine Agonists; D011968:Receptors, Histamine; D001621:Betahistine