Evaluation of epidermal nerve density and opioid receptor levels in XXXX itch.

@entity1 @entity527 @entity1569 @entity5144 @entity10813 @entity272 @entity22522
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a complex, multifactorial inflammatory @entity272 with genetic and environmental interactions. @entity1 with @entity1569 exhibit @entity527 with itch, but the mechanisms of @entity5144 itch are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate epidermal nerve density and opioid receptor levels in @entity5144 skin with or without itch. METHODS: Twenty-four @entity1 with @entity1569 aged between 39 and 82 years were included in this study. The number of epidermal nerve fibres, the levels of @entity22522 ( @entity22522 ) and the expression patterns of  - and k-opioid systems were examined immunohistologically in skin biopsies from @entity5144 @entity1 with or without itch and healthy volunteers as controls. RESULTS: The number of epidermal nerve fibres tended to increase in approximately 40% of @entity5144 @entity1 with itch compared with healthy controls, while such intraepidermal nerves were not observed in other itchy @entity1 . In comparison with healthy controls, @entity22522 levels also tended to decrease in the epidermis of @entity5144 @entity1 with itch. However, no relationship was found between nerve density and @entity22522 levels in the epidermis of @entity5144 @entity1 with itch. The levels of  -opioid receptor and b-endorphin in the epidermis were the same in healthy controls and @entity5144 @entity1 with or without itch. The levels of k-opioid receptor and @entity10813 were significantly decreased in the epidermis of @entity5144 @entity1 with itch compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Based on @entity22522 levels in the epidermis, epidermal opioid systems, rather than hyperinnervation, may be involved in the pathogenesis of @entity5144 itch.
