Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience

Article Title: Oxytocin Elicits Itch Scratching Behavior via Spinal GRP/GRPR System

doi: 10.3389/fnins.2020.581977

Figure Lengend Snippet: Intrathecal OT induced hindpaw scratching behavior was mediated by spinal OTRs. (A) Time course of different doses of intrathecal OT evoked scratching bouts in mice. OT at dose of 0.003, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 nmol was administered intrathecally, scratching bouts of the mice were then recorded every 5 min for 30 min. (B) Different doses of intrathecal OT-induced scratching bouts in 30 min after injection. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. ** p < 0.01, **** p < 0.0001 vs. Saline; One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test. (C) Dose-response curve of intrathecal OT-induced scratching behaviors. (D) Intrathecal OT-induced itch behavior in male and female mice. OT at dose of 0.03 nmol was administered intrathecally, scratching bouts was then recorded for 30 min. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM paired T - test. (E) Intrathecal administration of a selective OT receptor agonist, TGOT (0.03 nmol) caused scratching behaviors similar to OT in mice. (F) Intrathecal administration of selective V1aR antagonist, also a selective OT receptor agonist, TC OT 39 (0.1 nmol) caused significant scratching behaviors in mice. (G) Intrathecal administration of selective OT receptor antagonists, Atosiban (0.1 nmol) and dVOT (0.1 nmol) decreased OT induced scratching behaviors in mice. (H) Selective blockade of V1aR by pretreatment of its antagonist, RG7314 (0.1 nmol) did not prevent OT-induced scratching behaviors in mice. I Morphine (0.3 nmol, i.t.) had no effect on OT-induced scratching. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM paired T - test. * p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: RG7314 was purchased from MedChemExpress (NJ, United States).

Techniques: Injection, Saline