Figure 1.
Uremic pruritus pathophysiology and management strategies. Hemodialysis may lead to the development of uremic pruritus in a mechanism that involves mast cell activation, maladaptive dermal cell signaling and the induction of the itch sensation via various nociceptive receptors within the peripheral and central nervous systems. Current (blue) and prospective (grey) uremic pruritus management strategies target various junctures of this mechanism, including receptors identified as itch modulators, which can be targeted by systemic pharmacological means (capsules; sharp-ended arrow = activation, flat-ended arrow = inhibition).Note. Ca = calcium; GPCR = G protein-coupled receptor; NK-1 = neurokinin-1; KOR = κ-opioid receptor; MOR = μ-opioid receptors; TRP = transient receptor potential; GABA = gamma-aminobutyric acid.