RESUMO OBJETIVO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar in-vivo a profundidade e a porcentagem de testosterona na pele humana. MÉTODO: Dois jovens voluntários brasileiros saudáveis foram avaliadas através de uma sonda confocal de Espectroscopia Raman na face volar do antebraço direito. A espectroscopia de testosterona foi realizada no estrato córneo, na epiderme viável e na derme; a concentração percentual de testosterona foi comparada entre a linha de base e uma hora após a aplicação transdérmica de uma formulação de testosterona nanoestruturada (5%). RESULTADOS: Tanto quanto sabemos, esta é a primeira vez que a profundidade e a porcentagem de testosterona foi avaliada de forma não invasiva in-vivo. Nenhum evento adverso foi associado a esse protocolo. O método é eficaz na medição diferencial da testosterona nas camadas da pele. CONCLUSÃO: Este protocolo pode servir como uma boa alternativa para a rápida quantificação hormonal com finalidade forense ou médica.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to measure in-vivo the depth and the percentage of testosterone in human skin. METHOD: Two healthy young Brazilian volunteers were evaluated through a Confocal Raman Spectroscopy probe on the right volar forearm. Testosterone spectroscopy of was performed on the Stratum Corneum, Viable Epidermis and Dermis; the percentage concentration of testosterone was compared between the baseline and one hour after local application of a transdermal nanostructured testosterone (5%) formulation. RESULTS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the depth and percentage of testosterone has been evaluated non-invasively in-vivo. No adverse events were attributed to this protocol. The method is effective in differentially measuring testosterone in the skin layers. CONCLUSION: This protocol may serve as a good choice for rapid hormone quantification for forensic or medical purposes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of a transdermal nanostructured formulation of progesterone (10%) combined with estriol (0.1%) + estradiol (0.25%) for relieving postmenopausal symptoms. METHODS: A total of 66 postmenopausal Brazilian women with climacteric symptoms of natural menopause received transdermal nanostructured formulations of progesterone and estrogens in the forearm daily for 60 months to mimic the normal ovarian secretory pattern. Confocal Raman spectroscopy of hormones in skin layers was performed. Clinical parameters, serum concentrations of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone, blood pressure, BI-RADS classification from bilateral mammography, and symptomatic relief were compared between baseline and 60 months post-treatment. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02033512. RESULTS: An improvement in climacteric symptoms was reported in 92.5% of women evaluated before and after 60 months of treatment. The serum concentrations of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone changed significantly (p<0.05) after treatment; the values of serum follicle-stimulating hormone decreased after 60 months from 82.04±4.9 to 57.12±4.1 IU/mL. A bilateral mammography assessment of the breasts revealed normal results in all women. No adverse health-related events were attributed to this hormone replacement therapy protocol. CONCLUSION: The nanostructured formulation is safe and effective in re-establishing optimal serum levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone and relieving the symptoms of menopause. This transdermal hormone replacement therapy may alleviate climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.