Botulinum toxin type A reduces histamine-induced itch and vasomotor responses in human skin.
BACKGROUND
Clinical evidence has revealed the antipruritic effect of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A). BoNT/A is believed to be effective against itch as it inhibits the release of acetylcholine as well as some other substances that may be involved in itch.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of subcutaneous administration of BoNT/A on experimentally histamine-induced itch in human skin.


METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 14 healthy men (mean +/- SD age 26.3 +/- 2.6 years) received BoNT/A (Botox; Allergan, Irvine, CA, U.S.A.; 5 U) and isotonic saline on the volar surface of either forearm. Histamine prick tests were performed four times at the treatment sites (before treatment, and days 1, 3 and 7 after treatment). The itch intensity (as rated on a 0-10 visual analogue scale), itch area, neurogenic inflammation (visible flare area), blood flow (laser Doppler) and cutaneous temperature (thermographic images) were measured over the course of the trials.


RESULTS
BoNT/A reduced the histamine-induced itch intensity (F(1,39) = 30.2, P < 0.001) and itch area (F(1,39) = 8.8, P = 0.011) compared with saline at all time points after treatment. The duration of itch was also shorter for BoNT/A-treated areas (F(1,39) = 19.4, P < 0.001), with a peak effect at day 7. The flare area was smaller in the BoNT/A-treated arm compared with the saline-treated arm at all time points after treatment (F(1,39) = 15.4, P = 0.002). Findings from blood flow (F(1,26) = 177.3, P < 0.001) and temperature measurements (F(1,26) = 27.6, P < 0.001) clearly showed the suppressive effect of BoNT/A on vasomotor reactions, with the maximal effect on days 3 and 7.


CONCLUSIONS
BoNT/A reduced the itch intensity, blood flow and neurogenic inflammation in response to the histamine prick test in human skin. The findings could be applicable in the treatment of some pruritic conditions that can be difficult to treat with conventional treatments.
Gazerani
P
P
Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
Pedersen
N S
NS
Drewes
A M
AM
Arendt-Nielsen
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006632:Histamine; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013817:Thermography; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
D000982:Antipruritics; D006632:Histamine; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A