Nattkemper LA, Kim BS, Yap QV, Hoon MA, Mishra SK, Yosipovitch G (2024) Increased systemic levels of centrally acting b-type natriuretic peptide are associated with chronic itch of different types. J Invest Dermatol S0022-202X(24)00197-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.02.026 PMID: 38522572
Objective: Examines plasma BNP levels and N-terminal pro-BNP levels in patients with differing types of chronic itch to see whether BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP levels can correlate with itch severity.
Summary: Plasma BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP levels of all patients with itch correlated with itch numerical rating scale, particularly for patients with chronic pruritus of unknown origin. Based on this clinical observation, this study further showed that increasing pathophysiological levels of BNP in mice by intravenous or osmotic pump induced significant scratching. In addition, BNP-SAP lesions to mice determined that BNP acts centrally by activating the natriuretic peptide receptor A in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
Usage: BNP-SAP was injected intrathecally (5 µg in 10 µL). One week later an itch agonist agent, ivBNP, was injected and itching was measured over an hour.
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