title: Pharmacological characterization of a chronic pruritus model induced by multiple application of 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene in NC mice.
abstract: Female NC/Jic mice were sensitized and challenged repeatedly at 48 h intervals for 10 and 30 days by painting 1% 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) on both ears. Mice challenged with TNCB for 30 days developed an inflammatory dermatitis with high immunoglobulin E (IgE) titer. Histological analysis with acidic Toluidine Blue staining revealed that dermal mast cells markedly differentiated and intensely degranulated, consistent with a dramatic increase in scratching behavior. A significant increase in total scratching events could be observed in mice treated with TNCB for a short period of 10 days. Extending the term of TNCB application to 30 days, the IgE titer and number of mast cells elevated significantly, and thus various drugs were evaluated pharmacologically by using the mice treated with TNCB for 30 days. Terfenadine and cyproheptadine attenuated the chronic scratching behavior. Tacrolimus and dexamethasone were less effective and cromolyn showed no effect. In addition, terfenadine and tacrolimus suppressed the degranulation of mast cells. The present chronic scratching model could be suitable to evaluate drugs effective for suppression of mast cell differentiation and degranulation by irritation, and may represent a promising tool to develop new drugs for inflammatory pruritus associated with, for example, atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Phrmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mizukami
authors.forename: Mitsuhiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D003533:Cyproheptadine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010853:Picryl Chloride; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D003533:Cyproheptadine; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D016593:Terfenadine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D016559:Tacrolimus; D010853:Picryl Chloride