Attenuation of serotonin-induced itch by sumatriptan: possible involvement of endogenous opioids
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Archives of dermatological research
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter in itch and impaired serotonin signaling has been linked to a variety of itch conditions. Intradermal injection of 5-HT induces scratching behavior in mice through stimulation of 5-HT receptors. Previous studies have demonstrated that selective 5-HT1B/1D receptors agonists, including sumatriptan, inhibits neurotransmission. We have also reported that sumatriptan suppresses chloroquine-induced itch. Therefore, we investigated if sumatriptan has inhibitory effects on serotonin-induced itch in mice. Here, we show that intradermal and intraperitoneal administration of sumatriptan significantly reduce 5-HT-induced scratching behavior in mice. While intradermal injection of GR-127935, a selective 5-HT1B/1D receptors antagonist, reverses the anti-pruritic effects of sumatriptan. In addition, we show that intradermal and intraperitoneal naltrexone (NTX), a non-specific opioid receptor antagonist, and methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, significantly decrease the 5-HT-induced scratching behavior. Additionally, combined treatment with sub-effective doses of sumatriptan and an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone, decreases 5-HT-evoked scratching responses. We conclude that sumatriptan inhibits 5-HT-induced itch by activating the peripheral 5-HT1B/1D receptors. Moreover, peripheral opioid receptors have a role in serotonin-induced itch, and anti-pruritic effects of sumatriptan seem to involve the opioid system. These data suggest that 5-HT1B/1D receptors agonists maybe useful to treat a variety of pathologic itch conditions with impaired serotonergic system.
First Page
165
Last Page
172
DOI
10.1007/s00403-018-1809-9
Publication Date
3-1-2018
Recommended Citation
Haddadi, Nazgol-Sadat; Foroutan, Arash; Shakiba, Saeed; Afshari, Khashayar; Ostadhadi, Sattar; Daneshpazhooh, Maryam; and Dehpour, Ahmad-Reza, "Attenuation of serotonin-induced itch by sumatriptan: possible involvement of endogenous opioids" (2018). Internal Medicine. 325.
https://scholar.bridgeporthospital.org/internal_medicine/325
Identifier
29352328 (pubmed); 10.1007/s00403-018-1809-9 (doi); 10.1007/s00403-018-1809-9 (pii)