Antipruritic Effect of Cold-induced and Transient Receptor Potential-agonist-induced Counter-irritation on Histaminergic Itch in Humans

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  • Hjalte H. Andersen
  • Camilla Melholt
  • Sigurd D. Hilborg
  • Anne Jerwiarz
  • Amalie Randers
  • Amalie Simoni
  • Elberling, Jesper Vraamark
  • Lars Arendt-Nielsen

A frequent empirical observation is that cold-induced counter-irritation may attenuate itch. The aim of this randomized, single-blinded, exploratory study was to evaluate the counter-irritation effects of cold-stimulation and topical application of transient receptor potential TRPA1/M8-agonists (trans-cinnamaldehyde/Lmenthol, respectively), on histamine-induced itch, wheals and neurogenic inflammation in 13 healthy volunteers. Histamine 1% was applied to the volar forearms using skin prick-test lancets. Recorded outcomeparameters were itch intensity, wheal reactions, and neurogenic inflammation (measured by laser-speckle perfusion-imaging). Homotopic thermal counter-irritation was performed with 6 temperatures, ranging from 4°C to 37°C, using a 3 × 3-cm thermal stimulator. Chemical “cold-like” counter-irritation was conducted with 40% L-menthol and 10% trans-cinnamaldehyde, while 5% doxepin was used as a positive antipruritic control/comparator. Cold counter-irritation stimuli from 4°C to 22°C inhibited itch in a stimulus-intensitydependent manner (p < 0.05) and, to a lesser extent, also wheal reactions and neurogenic inflammation. Chemical “cold-like” counter-irritation with both Lmenthol and trans-cinnamaldehyde had antipruritic efficacy similar to doxepin (p < 0.05). Cold-induced counter-irritation had an inhibitory effect on histaminergic itch, suggesting that agonists of cold transduction receptors could be of potential antipruritic value.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Dermato-Venereologica
Volume97
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)63-70
Number of pages8
ISSN0001-5555
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017

    Research areas

  • Cold stimulation, Counterirritation, Histamine, Itch, TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPs

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