Effects of capsaicin on human nasal mucosa

In order to determine the effects of capsaicin on the sympathetic innervation of human nasal mucosa, the effects of capsaicin on the contractile response of isolated human nasal mucosal blood vessels to field stimulation and methoxamine were investigated. Results showed that capsaicin enhanced field stimulation but there were no effects on mucosal contraction induced by methoxamine. Likewise, the drug had no effects on mucosal basal tension but potentiated mucosal contractions by norepinephrine. The study indicated that capsaicin may increase sympathetic function with the potentiating effects of norepinephrine. Because no effects of capsaicin on the resting tension of the nasal mucosa in vitro were noted, it is therefore deduced that local reactions in nasal mucosa by capsaicin in vivo should be via central or local reflexes.