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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Itch is an everyday sensation, but when associated with disease or infection it can be chronic and debilitating. Several forms of itch can be blocked using antihistamines, but others cannot and these constitute an important clinical problem. Little information is available on the mechanisms underlying itch that is produced by nonhistaminergic mechanisms. We examined the responses of spinothalamic tract neurons to histaminergic and, for the first time, nonhistaminergic forms of itch stimuli. Fifty-seven primate spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons were identified using antidromic activation techniques and examined for their responses to histamine and cowhage, the nonhistaminergic itch-producing spicules covering the pod of the legume Mucuna pruriens. Each examined neuron had a receptive field on the hairy skin of the hindlimb and responded to noxious mechanical stimulation. STT neurons were tested with both pruritogens applied in a random order and we found 12 that responded to histamine and seven to cowhage. Each pruritogen-responsive STT neuron was activated by the chemical algogen capsaicin and two-thirds responded to noxious heat stimuli, demonstrating that these neurons convey chemical, thermal, and mechanical nociceptive information as well. Histamine or cowhage responsive STT neurons were found in both the marginal zone and the deep dorsal horn and were classified as high threshold and wide dynamic range. Unexpectedly, histamine and cowhage never activated the same cell. Our results demonstrate that the spinothalamic tract contains mutually exclusive populations of neurons responsive to histamine or the nonhistaminergic itch-producing agent cowhage.
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PMID:The itch-producing agents histamine and cowhage activate separate populations of primate spinothalamic tract neurons. 1785 15

Microneurography was used to record action potentials from afferent C-fibers in cutaneous fascicles of the peroneal nerve in healthy volunteers. Afferent fibers were classified according to their mechanical responsiveness to von Frey stimulation (75g) into mechano-responsive and mechano-insensitive nociceptors. Various concentrations of Endothelin1 (ET1) and Histamine were injected into the receptive fields of C-fibers. Activation and heat sensitization were monitored. Axon reflex flare and psychophysical ratings were assessed after injection of ET1 and codeine into the forearms after pre-treatment with an H1 blocker or sodium chloride. 65% of mechanosensitive nociceptors were activated by ET1. One-third showed long lasting responses (>15min). In contrast, none of thirteen mechano-insensitive fibers were activated. Sensitization to heat was observed in 62% of mechanosensitive and in 46% of mechano-insensitive fibers. Injection of ET1 produced a widespread axon reflex flare, which was suppressed by pre-treatment with an H1 receptor blocker. In addition, pain sensations were induced more often than itching by ET1 in contrast to codeine. No wheal was observed after injection of ET1. Both itching and pain were decreased after H1 blocker treatment. In summary: (1) In humans ET1 activates mechanosensitive, but not mechano-insensitive, nociceptors. (2) Histamine released from mast cells is not responsible for all effects of ET1 on C-nociceptors. (3) ET1 could have a differential role in pain compared to other chemical algogens which activate additionally or even predominantly mechano-insensitive fibers.
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PMID:Endothelin 1 activates and sensitizes human C-nociceptors. 1788 95

Histamine is a major autacoid released during allergic reactions. Histamine, when administered to the nasal mucosa, causes symptoms that mimic allergic rhinitis, including nasal blockage, sneezing, pruritus and rhinorrhea. This article provides an overview of the contribution of H1, H2 and H3 receptors to histamine-induced symptom generation, in particular focusing on nasal blockage.
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PMID:Insights into the mechanisms of histamine-induced inflammation in the nasal mucosa. 1790

Histamine has a key role in allergic inflammatory conditions. The inflammatory responses resulting from the liberation of histamine have long been thought to be mediated by the histamine H1 receptor, and H1-receptor antagonists--commonly known as antihistamines--have been used to treat allergies for many years. However, the importance of histamine in the pathology of conditions such as asthma and chronic pruritus may have been underestimated. Here, we review accumulating evidence suggesting that histamine indeed has roles in inflammation and immune function modulation in such diseases. In particular, the discovery of a fourth histamine receptor (H4) and its expression on numerous immune and inflammatory cells has prompted a re-evaluation of the actions of histamine, suggesting a new potential for H4-receptor antagonists and a possible synergy between H1 and H4-receptor antagonists in targeting various inflammatory conditions.
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PMID:The role of histamine H1 and H4 receptors in allergic inflammation: the search for new antihistamines. 1817 39

Recent findings suggest that itch produced by intradermal insertion of cowhage spicules in human is histamine independent. Neuronal mechanisms underlying nonhistaminergic itch are poorly understood. To investigate which nerve fibers mediate cowhage induced itch in man, action potentials were recorded from cutaneous C-fibers of the peroneal nerve in healthy volunteers using microneurography. Mechano-responsive and -insensitive C-nociceptors were tested for their responsiveness to cowhage spicules, histamine, and capsaicin. Cowhage spicules induced itching and activated all tested mechano-responsive C-units (24/24), but no mechano-insensitive C-fibers (0/17). Histamine also induced itch, but in contrast to cowhage, it caused lasting activation only in mechano-insensitive units (8/12). In mechano-responsive C-units, histamine caused no or only short and weak responses unrelated to the time course of itching. Capsaicin injections activated four of six mechano-responsive fibers and three of four mechano-insensitive C-fibers. Cowhage and histamine activate distinctly different nonoverlapping populations of C-fibers while inducing similar sensations of itch. We hypothesize that cowhage activates a pathway for itch that originates peripherally from superficial mechano-responsive (polymodal) C-fibers and perhaps other afferent units. It is distinct from the pathway for histamine-mediated pruritus and does not involve the histamine-sensitive mechano-insensitive fibers.
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PMID:Separate peripheral pathways for pruritus in man. 1856 48

One of the recommended first-line treatments for basal cell carcinomas, actinic keratoses and Bowen's disease is photodynamic therapy. Commonly associated side- effects include pain and phototoxicity. Histamine release is a part of this reaction, but whealing urticaria follow noting photodynamic therapy has only been reported by the manufacturer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of immediate whealing urticaria in exposed areas during photodynamic therapy with topical methylester aminolevulinate and red light. Patients who developed immediate whealing urticaria during photodynamic therapy were prospectively registered in the period from 1 March 2002 to 14 May 2007. Twelve out of 1353 patients (0.9%) treated with photodynamic therapy developed immediate whealing urticaria and itch during red light illumination, which had not been experienced during previous sessions. Urticaria occurred in 3.8% of patients who had received more than 7 sessions of photodynamic therapy. Prophylactic use of systemic antihistamines reduced itch and whealing, permitting photodynamic therapy sessions to be continued.
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PMID:Immediate whealing urticaria in red light exposed areas during photodynamic therapy. 1877 86

The proteolytic enzyme papain is known to cause allergic sensitization. At a research laboratory several employees developed allergic symptoms after occupational exposure to papain dust and were referred to the local Clinic of Occupational Medicine. 10 out of 22 employees reported work-related ocular itching and symptoms of rhinitis. A Histamine Release Test showed that three employees were sensitized to papain. After the introduction of more stringent hygienic procedures including the use of a fume cupboard and external washing of test tubes during use, all work-related symptoms disappeared.
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PMID:[The enzyme papain in industry and food causes allergic sensitization]. 1882 99

The histamine H4 receptor (H4R) is the newest receptor identified of four histamine receptors. Its expression in numerous immune and inflammatory organs has been implicated in relation to immune systems and allergic diseases. In the present study, we demonstrate the expression of H4R in human dermal fibroblasts and investigate changes in its expression level when stimulated by histamine, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), dexamethasone and indomethacin. Histamine and PMA showed no effects on H4R expression. LPS and indomethacin up-regulated H4R mRNA expression, and 20 microM dexamethasone increased H4R protein levels. These results indicate a good prospective for this new receptor in the development of effective treatments of inflammatory diseases and pruritus or for the appropriate prevention of toxicities.
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PMID:Comparative study of histamine H4 receptor expression in human dermal fibroblasts. 1882 51

Itch, an unpleasant sensation associated with the desire to scratch, is symptomatic of dermatologic and systemic disorders that often resist antihistamine treatment. Histamine-independent itch mediators include serotonin (5-HT) and agonists of the protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2). We used behavior, Fos immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology to investigate if these mediators activate spinal dorsal horn neurons in a manner consistent with itch. Intradermal (i.d.) injection of the PAR-2 agonist SLIGRL-NH(2) in the rostral back evoked bouts of directed hindlimb scratches over 20-30 min. Hindpaw injection of SLIGRL-NH(2) produced Fos staining in superficial dorsal horn which was then targeted for single-unit recording. Small id microinjections of SLIGRL-NH(2) or 5-HT identified responsive single units in the superficial dorsal horn of mice anesthetized with pentobarbital. Thirty-eight units characterized as wide dynamic range, nociceptive specific, or mechanically insensitive exhibited significantly increased firing after i.d. SLIGRL-NH(2) for 9 min, to partial (25%) tachyphylaxis with repeated injection. A majority additionally responded to 5-HT (70%), mustard oil (79%), and capsaicin (71%). Seven units isolated with the 5-HT search stimulus exhibited significant and prolonged responses to 5-HT with tachyphylaxis to repeated injections. The majority also responded to SLIGRL-NH(2), mustard oil, and capsaicin. The prolonged responses of superficial dorsal horn neurons to SLIGRL-NH(2) and 5-HT suggest a role in signaling itch. However, their responsiveness to algogens is inconsistent with itch specificity. Alternatively, such neurons may signal itch, whereas noxious stimulus levels recruit these and a larger population of pruritogen-insensitive cells to signal pain which masks or occludes the itch signal.
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PMID:Activation of superficial dorsal horn neurons in the mouse by a PAR-2 agonist and 5-HT: potential role in itch. 1945 38

Cowhage and histamine, both applied via spicules, were used to induce itch. The quality and intensity of the sensations, axon reflex flare, sympathetic skin vasoconstrictions and the interference of scratching with itch processing were studied. Axon reflex flare reactions were measured by laser Doppler imaging and reflex vasoconstrictions in the finger were recorded by laser Doppler flowmetry. Magnitude of itch sensations was assessed on an electronic visual analogue scale while the skin was intermittently scratched proximal to the application site. The quality of itch was assessed with a questionnaire. Only histamine produced an axon reflex flare. Histamine itch increased faster, but recovered more slowly after scratching, by which it was more effectively suppressed. Cowhage induced a sharper itch sensation and stronger vasoconstrictor reflexes. These findings support the notion that both agents activate different pathways. The differences in sympathetic reflex induction and in the modulation by scratching indicate differential central nervous processing.
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PMID:Impact of scratching on itch and sympathetic reflexes induced by cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) and histamine. 1947 24


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