Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 and PAR-4 are implicated in nonhistaminergic itch. We investigated dose dependence, tachyphylaxis, and cross-tachyphylaxis of itch-associated scratching elicited by intradermal injections of PAR-2 and PAR-4 agonists, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and histamine in ICR mice, as well as -opioid modulation of PAR-2 agonist-evoked scratching. Each agent elicited dose-related increases in scratch bouts. Scratching elicited by the PAR-4 agonist and histamine both exhibited significant tachyphylaxis but no cross-tachyphylaxis with each other. Scratching evoked by 5-HT did not exhibit significant tachyphylaxis but did exhibit significant cross-tachyphylaxis to scratching evoked by the PAR-2 and PAR-4 agonists and histamine. Naltrexone and high-dose morphine (10 mg/kg) attenuated PAR-2 agonistevoked scratching, whereas lower dose morphine (1 mg/kg) had no effect. High-dose morphine also significantly increased circling behavior, which may have interfered with scratching. The PAR-2 agonist and 5-HT produced overlapping distributions of Fos-like immunoreactivity in the superficial dorsal horn. These results indicate that PAR-2 and PAR-4 agonists, histamine, and 5-HT elicit itch-related scratching and activate superficial dorsal horn neurons that may participate in scratch reflex and ascending itch signaling pathways.

The recent discoveries of cold-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels prompted us to investigate the responses of neurons in trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) to intraoral cooling and agonists of TRPM8 and TRPA1. Single units responsive to lingual cooling were recorded in superficial laminae of Vc in thiopental-anesthetized rats. All units responded to noxious heat and 88% responded to menthol. Responses increased with menthol concentration from 0.1 to 1% (6.4-64 mM) and plateaued at 10% (640 mM). Noxious cold-evoked responses were significantly enhanced after menthol in a concentration-dependent manner. Constant-flow application of 1% menthol elicited a phasic discharge that adapted over 2-8 min and significantly enhanced subsequent cold-evoked but not heat-evoked responses; vehicle (10% ethanol) was ineffective. Reapplication of menthol 15 min later elicited a significantly reduced response (self-desensitization). Vc units were similarly excited phasically by 1% menthol dissolved in 40% ethanol. The 40% ethanol briefly excited Vc units during the first minute and reduced subsequent responses to noxious heat and cold while exhibiting neither self-desensitization nor cross-desensitization to menthol. Menthol cross-desensitized Vc responses to 40% ethanol. Most menthol-responsive units also responded to the TRPA1 agonists cinnamaldehyde and mustard oil, and the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin. Units in superficial Vc receive convergent input from primary afferents that express TRPM8, TRPA1, and/or TRPV1 channels, either directly or indirectly via intersubnuclear pathways. The convergent nature of these units suggests a general role in signaling noxious stimuli.

TRPA1 agonists cinnamaldehyde (CA) and mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate= AITC) induce heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in human skin, and sensitize responses of spinal and trigeminal dorsal horn neurons to noxious skin heating in rats. TRPA1 is also implicated in cold nociception. We presently used behavioral methods to investigate if CA affects sensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli in rats. Unilateral intraplantar injection of CA (5-20%) induced a significant, concentration-dependent reduction in latency for ipsilateral paw withdrawal from a noxious heat stimulus, peaking (61.7% of pre-injection baseline) by 30 min with partial recovery at 120 min. The highest dose of CA also significantly reduced the contralateral paw withdrawal latency. CA significantly reduced mechanical withdrawal thresholds of the injected paw that peaked sooner (3 min) and was more profound (44.4% of baseline), with no effect contralaterally. Bilateral intraplantar injections of CA resulted in a significant cold hyperalgesia (cold-plate test) and a weak enhancement of innocuous cold avoidance (thermal preference test). The data are consistent with roles for TRPA1 in thermal (hot and cold) hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia.

Menthol and cinnamaldehyde (CA) are plant-derived spices commonly used in oral hygiene products, chewing gum, and many other applications. However, little is known regarding their sensory interactions in the oral cavity. We used a human psychophysics approach to investigate the temporal dynamics of oral irritation elicited by sequential application of menthol and/or CA, and ratiometric calcium imaging methods to investigate activation of rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells by these agents. Irritancy decreased significantly with sequential oral application of menthol and CA (self-desensitization). Menthol cross-desensitized irritation elicited by CA, and vice versa, over a time course of at least 60 min. Seventeen and 19% of TG cells were activated by menthol and CA, respectively, with ∼50% responding to both. TG cells exhibited significant self-desensitization to menthol applied at a 5, but not 10, min interval. They also exhibited significant self-desensitization to CA at 400 but not 200 μM. Menthol cross-desensitized TG cell responses to CA. CA at a concentration of 400 but not 200 μM also cross-desensitized menthol-evoked responses. The results support the argument that the perceived reductions in oral irritancy and cross-interactions between menthol and CA and menthol observed (at least at short interstimulus intervals) can be largely accounted for by the properties of trigeminal sensory neurons innervating the tongue.

Szechuan peppers contain hydroxy-α-sanshool that imparts desirable tingling, cooling, and numbing sensations. Hydroxy-α-sanshool activates a subset of sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by inhibiting two-pore potassium channels. We presently investigated if a tingle-evoking sanshool analog, isobutylalkenyl amide (IBA), excites rat DRG neurons and, if so, if these neurons are also activated by agonists of TRPM8, TRPA1, and/or TRPV1. Thirty-four percent of DRG neurons tested responded to IBA, with 29% of them also responding to menthol, 29% to cinnamic aldehyde, 66% to capsaicin, and subsets responding to two or more transient receptor potential (TRP) agonists. IBA-responsive cells had similar size distributions regardless of whether they responded to capsaicin or not; cells only responsive to IBA were larger. Responses to repeated application of IBA at a 5-min interstimulus interval exhibited self-desensitization (tachyphylaxis). Capsaicin did not cross-desensitize responses to IBA to any greater extent than the tachyphylaxis observed with repeated IBA applications. These findings are consistent with psychophysical observations that IBA elicits tingle sensation accompanied by pungency and cooling, with self-desensitization but little cross-desensitization by capsaicin. Intraplantar injection of IBA elicited nocifensive responses (paw licking, shaking-flinching, and guarding) in a dose-related manner similar to the effects of intraplantar capsaicin and serotonin. IBA had no effect on thermal sensitivity but enhanced mechanical sensitivity at the highest dose tested. These observations suggest that IBA elicits an unfamiliar aversive sensation that is expressed behaviorally by the limited response repertoire available to the animal.