The behavioral study on the interactive aggravation between pruritus and depression

Abstract

BackgroundThe interactive aggravation of pruritus and depression is well‐known, but an appropriate experimental model that could mimic this behavioral phenomenon is still lacking. Thus, a systematic animal behavioral investigation was carried out in this study. This will promote the research and treatment of pruritus and depression.MethodsThe 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)‐induced chronic itch model was established to measure the depression index by forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and splash test (ST). The chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS)‐induced depression model was established to measure spontaneous itch and acute histamine or chloroquine‐induced itch behaviors. A depression and itch combining model was also established to measure the scratching and depression behaviors. The motor function of DNFB mice was analyzed by the rotarod test.ResultsThe scratching number, the immobility time in the FST and TST, and the grooming number in the ST test were all significantly increased in the chronic itch model. Mice receiving CUMS treatment showed significantly increased spontaneous scratching number, immobility time in the FST and TST tests, and grooming number in the ST. The combined model showed increased immobility time in FST and TST tests and increased grooming number in ST comparing to the depression model, and showed increased scratching number comparing to the chronic itch model. After histamine (His) or chloroquine (CQ) injection, the scratching numbers of CUMS mice were all significantly increased compared to those of His‐ and CQ‐control, respectively. Anti‐depression drug ketamine could significantly inhibit the depression‐like behaviors of CUMS mice, and simultaneously stopped the promoting effect on His‐induced acute itch.ConclusionsThis study established an appropriate cross aggravation experimental mode and demonstrated that there is cross aggravation between pruritus and depression. The illumination of related mechanisms underlying this cross aggravation effect will provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of depression and pruritus.

European S2k Guideline on Chronic Pruritus

“…Itch is a strong stressor and can elicit psychiatric disease and psychological distress. Depressive disorders are present in about 10% of patients with CP (311) and have a clear correlation (312). Antidepressants probably also exert an effect on pruritus through their pharmacological action on serotonin and histamine (306).…”

Impaired regulation of KCC2 phosphorylation leads to neuronal network dysfunction and neurodevelopmental pathology

“…We therefore assessed several neuro-behavioral tests in KCC2 +/+ and KCC2 E/+ mice, including ultrasonic vocalization (USVs) (alteration of communication) (44), open field (anxiety and hyperactivity) (45), three-chamber test (sociability) (46), and grooming splash tests (depression) (47).…”

Itch and Mental Health in Dermatological Patients across Europe: A Cross-Sectional Study in 13 Countries

“…The burden of itch has been described for specific skin diseases such as hand eczema (Boehm et al, 2012), atopic dermatitis (Chrostowska-Plak et al, 2013;Simpson et al, 2018), psoriasis (Chrostowska-Plak et al, 2013;Reich et al, 2016Reich et al, , 2010Zachariae et al, 2012), prurigo nodularis (Brenaut et al, 2019;Konda et al, 2015), and hidradenitis suppurativa (Kaaz et al, 2018); among hemodialysis patients (Suseł et al, 2014;Weiss et al, 2016;Yamamoto et al, 2009); and in chronic itch patients in general (Schneider et al, 2006;Steinke et al, 2018;Stumpf et al, 2015). The cross-aggravation of pruritus and depression was demonstrated to give important implications for the treatment of depression in patients with pruritus (Wang et al, 2018). Although there are already studies showing evidence of correlation between itch and mental health problems in general (Caccavale et al, 2016) and in specific skin disorders, there is a lack of a cross-sectional study across chronic skin diseases demonstrating the correlations between itch and mental health problems.…”