Role of prostaglandins on mechanical scratching-induced cutaneous barrier disruption in mice.
The role of prostaglandins (PGs) on mechanical scratching-induced cutaneous barrier disruption in mice was investigated by comparing the observed effects of arachidonic acid (AA) application. Scratching of the mouse skin with a stainless-steel wire brush (mechanical scratching) was associated with significant, scratch-count-dependent elevation of the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin PG levels (especially PGD(2) and PGE(2)). Histological evidence of inflammation (crusta, acanthosis and neutrophilic infiltration) in the skin also became evident 24 h after mechanical scratching. On the other hand, while topical application of 0.1% AA to the mouse skin also increased the skin PG levels, but did not produce any increase of TEWL or histological evidence of inflammation in the skin. Topical application of cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin, piroxicam, aspirin, diclofenac and ketoprofen) decreased the spontaneous recovery rates from cutaneous barrier disruption. These results suggest that the elevation of cutaneous PG production induced by mechanical scratching is involved in the repair of the skin damage caused by the scratching.
Futaki
N
N
Pharmacology Laboratory, Medicinal Research Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Kita-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, Japan.
Arai
I
I
Sugimoto
M
M
Honma
Y
Y
Hashimoto
Y
Y
Sakurai
T
T
Nakanishi
Y
Y
Tanaka
M
M
Nakaike
S
S
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014867:Water; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D015237:Dinoprost; D011464:Epoprostenol; D015232:Dinoprostone; D015230:Prostaglandin D2