Control itch in atopic dermatitis

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Atopic dermatitis is a common pruritic inflammatory skin disease. It has been well recognized that environmental factors such as mites and dusts and psychological stress exacerbate atopic dermatitis. We have demonstrated that psychological stress by itself can induce scratching behaviour and trigger atopic dermatitis-like skin changes in atopic dermatitis model mice, NC/Nga. Psychological stress decreased peripheral blood and spleen NK cells, and the mRNA expression of kappa-opioid receptors in brain. On the other hand, psychological stress increased the mRNA expression of u-opioid receptors in brain. Our data suggest that the control of opioid receptor expression and NK cell profile may suppress stress-induced scratching behavior, and lead to a new treatment of atopic dermatitis.