Table 1:
Chemical Mediators of Itch
Amines
Proteases
and Kinins
Prostaglandins
Neuropeptides
Opioids
Histamine Trypsin    Substance P Met-enkephalin
Serotonin Chymase    Substance K Leu-enkephalin
   Kallikrein    Endothelin Morphine
   Papain    Vasoactive intestinal
peptide (VIP)
  
   Bradykinin    Neurotensin   
         Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)   
              
Adapted from Lerner EA. Chemical mediators of itching. In: Bernhard JD, ed. Itch: Mechanisms and Management of Pruritis. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1994:23.
Copyright 2002 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

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