title: Prostaglandin E2 induces vasodilation and pruritus, but no protein extravasation in atopic dermatitis and controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) has well-established vasodilatory effects, whereas its effects on protein extravasation and its sensory effects are less clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Vasoactive effects of PGE(2) were correlated to its ability to evoke pain or itch in healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Intradermal microdialysis was used to apply PGE(2) (10(-8)-10(-4) M) via microdialysis capillaries in 8 patients and 8 controls. Large pore size membranes (3000 kd) enabled simultaneous analysis of protein extravasation. Itch and pain sensations were measured psychophysically, and superficial blood flow was measured by laser Doppler imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PGE(2) dose dependently provoked intense local vasodilation, weak pruritus, and pain, but no protein extravasation. No differences were found between patients with AD and controls for any parameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that PGE(2) is a potent vasodilator and a weak pruritic agent in normal skin and in patients with AD, but does not provoke increased protein extravasation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Erlangen/Nürnberg, Universitätstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Neisius
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rukwied
authors.forename: Grischa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lischetzki
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmelz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015232:Dinoprostone