Table 1.

Mechanism of action and results of the product’s application after histomorphological analysis.

	AQP3 HIC	CD44 IF
RESPECTA® GEL IDRATANTE VAGINALE Ref. 17031 (A)	Efficacy of the product in regulating the water flux by inducing AQP3 expression thus determining a positive water balance within the vaginal epithelium. Remodelling of the epithelium morphology with restored trophism compared to the dry HVE control.	Significant increase of the expression of CD44, related to hyaluronic acid (HA) distribution with the extracellular matrix and inducing a deep hydration and elasticity of the vaginal mucosa. Efficacy in regulating the extracellular matrix composition and renewal compared to the DRY HVE control.
REFERENCE (B)	Efficacy of the reference in regulating the water flux by modulating AQP3 expression thus confirming its principal activity.	Lower effect compared to the product Ref. 17031