摘要Objective::Inflammatory skin diseases were proved to be associated with dry skin-induced pruritus. However, the relationship between skin inflammation, skin barrier function, and pruritus remains unclarified. The present study aimed to explore this relationship using an acetone-ether-water (AEW) mouse model, and to investigate the anti-itch effects of the combined application of β-glucan and panthenol in a moisturizing spray in this mouse model.Methods::A dry skin-induced chronic pruritus mouse model was established by repeated AEW treatment of the skin. The pruritic behavior, skin barrier function, and expression of molecules related to pruritus and inflammation in topical lesions were measured. The effects of a spray containing β-glucan and panthenol were observed. The t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to evaluate differences between groups. Results::AEW treatment triggered spontaneous scratching with significantly increased numbers of scratching bouts, and disrupted the skin barrier with a significant increase in transepidermal water loss values and a significant decrease in filaggrin gene ( FLG) expression (all P < 0.01). AEW treatment also significantly increased the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, caspase-1, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as the pruritus-associated molecules nerve growth factor, cathepsin S, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the skin (all P < 0.01). Application of the spray containing β-glucan and panthenol significantly alleviated these responses, resulting in a reduced number of scratching bouts in 1 hour, reduced transepidermal water loss values, increased filaggrin mRNA expression, and reduced mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, caspase-1, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, cathepsin S, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and nerve growth factor in skin lesions (all P < 0.05). Conclusion::The present results suggest a relationship between damaged skin barrier function, pruritus, and inflammation. Adding β-glucan and panthenol to moisturizing skincare products may alleviate pruritus induced by dry skin, improve the damaged skin barrier function, and reduce the inflammatory state in local skin areas.

abstractsObjective::Inflammatory skin diseases were proved to be associated with dry skin-induced pruritus. However, the relationship between skin inflammation, skin barrier function, and pruritus remains unclarified. The present study aimed to explore this relationship using an acetone-ether-water (AEW) mouse model, and to investigate the anti-itch effects of the combined application of β-glucan and panthenol in a moisturizing spray in this mouse model.Methods::A dry skin-induced chronic pruritus mouse model was established by repeated AEW treatment of the skin. The pruritic behavior, skin barrier function, and expression of molecules related to pruritus and inflammation in topical lesions were measured. The effects of a spray containing β-glucan and panthenol were observed. The t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to evaluate differences between groups. Results::AEW treatment triggered spontaneous scratching with significantly increased numbers of scratching bouts, and disrupted the skin barrier with a significant increase in transepidermal water loss values and a significant decrease in filaggrin gene ( FLG) expression (all P < 0.01). AEW treatment also significantly increased the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, caspase-1, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as the pruritus-associated molecules nerve growth factor, cathepsin S, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the skin (all P < 0.01). Application of the spray containing β-glucan and panthenol significantly alleviated these responses, resulting in a reduced number of scratching bouts in 1 hour, reduced transepidermal water loss values, increased filaggrin mRNA expression, and reduced mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, caspase-1, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, cathepsin S, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and nerve growth factor in skin lesions (all P < 0.05). Conclusion::The present results suggest a relationship between damaged skin barrier function, pruritus, and inflammation. Adding β-glucan and panthenol to moisturizing skincare products may alleviate pruritus induced by dry skin, improve the damaged skin barrier function, and reduce the inflammatory state in local skin areas.