Investigation of the effect of excimer lamp on intraepidermal nerve fibers and its application to intractable pruritus

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870729
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Dermatology; Pain science
• Research Institution: Tokai University
• Principal Investigator: KAMO Atsuko 東海大学, 健康科学部, 講師 (50614088)
• Research Collaborator: TAKAMORI Kenji ; TOMINAGA Mitsutoshi ; KAMATA Yayoi
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 難治性痒み / 表皮内神経線維 / エキシマランプ / アトピー性皮膚炎 / ドライスキン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of excimer lamp on intraepidermal nerve fibers directly and on pruritus of atopic dermatitis (AD) model mice. Irradiation to nerve fibers in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons increased bleb formation and decreased nerve fiber expression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2, suggesting degenerative changes in these fibers. A single irradiation to AD model mice significantly inhibited itch-related behavior one day later, following improvement in the dermatitis score. These results suggested that excimer lamp is one of effective therapies against intractable pruritus involving intraepidermal nerve fibers.

Free Research Field

痒み科学、