Acupuncture ameliorates atopic dermatitis-like inflammation and serotonergic itch

CC BY-SA 3.0, Source: James Heilman, MD

A research team from Kyung Hee University reported their latest findings on anti-itch effects of acupuncture and its possible mechanisms. Acupuncture was performed at LI11 acupoints just before the injection of pruritogens in the mouse cheek model of acute itch and of MC903-induced atopic dermatitis displaying serotonergic chronic itch. Acupuncture significantly reduced acute itch triggered by compound 48/80, chloroquine, or especially serotonin. It also markedly reduced scratching behaviors evoked by the serotonin 5-HT2 receptor agonist α-methylserotonin and selective 5-HT7 receptor agonist LP 44.

Reference

Park H, Ahn S, Lee H, et al. Acupuncture ameliorates not only atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation but also acute and chronic serotonergic itch possibly through blockade of 5-HT2 and 5-HT7 receptors in mice. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2021, in Press https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.01.027

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