Abstract
Background
There is no current method to precisely assess pruritus despite its importance as
a major symptom in many skin diseases. Pruritus induces scratching that worsens various
inflammatory skin diseases.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of scratching on allergic skin
reactions using murine contact hypersensitivity (CH) as a model and to assess classical
“anti-pruritic” agents using this model.
Methods
We utilized plastic collars which were placed around the necks of mice to prevent
them from scratching their ears during the development of CH. This allowed us to assess
ear swelling as an index of CH, obviating the effects of scratching that occurs during
the development of CH.
Results
Following elicitation, the ear swelling of these “collared” mice was decreased by
approximately 50%, compared to control mice in which collars were not used, suggesting
that scratching contributes to the ear swelling that is measured as an index of CH.
Using this model, we assessed the anti-pruritic effects of antihistamines, corticosteroids,
non-steroidal antiinflammatory and sedative agents. All agents decreased CH when collars
were not used. When collars were used, all agents, other than the sedatives, appeared
to suppress CH, indicating their antiinflammatory effects. Sedative agents did not
decrease CH in collared mice, indicating that their inhibitory effects in CH may be
entirely due to their sedative effects.
Conclusions
This model enables the dissection of the various elements assessed when measuring
CH in mice and may provide a simple tool to assess or screen potential anti-pruritic
agents.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 12, 2010
Accepted:
September 24,
2009
Received in revised form:
September 17,
2009
Received:
April 26,
2009
Footnotes
☆Supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
