title: Involvement of blockade of leukotriene B(4) action in anti-pruritic effects of emedastine in mice.
abstract: The anti-pruritic activity of emedastine difumarate was studied in mice. Emedastine (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) inhibited scratching induced by intradermal injection of histamine (100 nmol/site). Scratching induced by substance P (100 nmol/site) and leukotriene B(4) (0.03 nmol/site), but not by serotonin (100 nmol/site), was also suppressed by emedastine (0.03-0.3 mg/kg). Intradermal injection of substance P increased the cutaneous concentration of leukotriene B(4), which was not affected by emedastine. These results suggest that the inhibition by emedastine of substance P-induced itch-associated response is mediated by the blockade of leukotriene B(4) action. Anti-leukotriene B(4) action, as well as the anti-histamine action, may contribute to the anti-pruritic effects of emedastine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, 930-0194, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andoh
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuraishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006632:Histamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013373:Substance P / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D012701:Serotonin; D013373:Substance P; D006632:Histamine; C043345:emedastine