irl-1620 and Pruritus

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is present in murine and human skin and causes itch (pruritus) when injected in humans. This behavioural study examined the scratch reflex evoked by ET-1 in mice.. An automated detector was used to determine whether ET-1 causes reflex scratching, the behavioural correlate of itching, in BALB/c mice. Selective agonists and antagonists were used to probe the ET receptor(s) involved.. ET-1 evoked dose-related reflex scratching lasting up to 20 min following intradermal injection (0.1-100 ng; 0.04-40 pmol). The ED(50) for ET-1 induced scratching was 2.1 ng and desensitization occurred with cumulative dosing. High doses of the ET(B) receptor agonist IRL1620 (10 microg; 5.5 nmol), also caused scratching (ED(50) 1.3 microg, 0.7 nmol). The ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ123 significantly reduced scratching evoked by ET-1 and IRL 1620, suggesting that both agonists caused scratching via an ET(A) receptor-dependent mechanism. The ET(B) receptor antagonist BQ788 significantly reduced scratching evoked by IRL1620 but had no effect on scratching evoked by ET-1. This indicated that activation of ET(B) receptors by high doses of ET(B) agonist, but not ET-1, can trigger scratching.. ET-1 is a potent endogenous activator of reflex scratching (itch). Mechanisms for ET-induced scratching are considered, including direct action of ET-1 on pruriceptive nerve endings and indirect actions via release of endogenous mediators such as histamine from mast cells. ET-1 and ET(A) receptors, possibly also ET(B) receptors, are potential targets for developing specific anti-pruritic drugs to treat pruritic skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; Endothelin B Receptor Antagonists; Endothelin-1; Endothelins; Female; Injections, Intradermal; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Oligopeptides; Peptide Fragments; Peptides, Cyclic; Piperidines; Pruritus; Receptor, Endothelin A; Receptor, Endothelin B; Reflex