Arsenic exposure and pruritus: Evidence from observational, interventional, and mendelian randomization studies

• DOI: 10.1111/all.15758
• Publication Date: 2023-05-02T13:40:18Z
• Authors: Xiaoyan Huang; Yi Xiao; Danrong Jing; Yuzhou Huang; Songchun Yang; Zhijun Huang; Guoping Yang; Yanying Duan; Meian He; Juan Su; Mingliang Chen; Xiang Chen; Minxue Shen
• Keywords: Mendelian Randomization

Pruritus is identified as an adverse drug reaction to arsenic trioxide, but the association of exposure with pruritus has not been investigated.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shimen, China. A Mendelian randomization analysis confirm causal relationship between genetically predicted percentages monomethylated (MMA%) and dimethylated (DMA%) urine chronic UK Biobank. case-control then determine biomarker for pruritus. Arsenite-treated mice were used biomarker, von Frey test induce scratching bouts. Last, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial efficacy naloxone arsenic-exposed patients Shimen.Hair (μg/g) showed dose-response intensity itch 1079 participants, odds ratios (OR) 1.11 moderate-to-severe (p = 0.012). The confirmed relationship, ORs 1.043 MMA% 0.029) 0.904 DMA% 0.077) above versus under median. Serum β-endorphin significant < 0.001). Consistently, treatment arsenite upregulated level 0.002) induced bouts 0.001) mice. randomized controlled 126 participants that sublingual significantly relieved 2 weeks (β -0.98, p 0.04).Arsenic associated pruritus, serves Naloxone relieves arseniasis.