TRPM8 mediates cold and menthol allergies associated with mast cell activation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceca.2010.09.001Get rights and content

Comment; Interesting approach to dealing with mast cell activation, maybe this would be a potential agent for treatment of some of the aspects of mast cell activation syndrome.  Menthol is a common allergy and mast cell activator.  Heat is also a mast cell stressor.  Also interesting they use menthol with arnica since menthol is thought by most homeopaths to block homeopathic remedies

YeongyoCho^bYongwooJang^bYoung DukYang^abChang-HunLee^bYunjongLee^bUhtaekOh^ab

Abstract

Exposure to low temperatures often causes allergic responses or urticaria. Similarly, menthol, a common food additive is also known to cause urticaria, asthma, and rhinitis. However, despite the obvious clinical implications, the molecular mechanisms responsible for inducing allergic responses to low temperatures and menthol have not been determined. Because a non-selective cation channel, transient receptor potential subtype M8 (TRPM8) is activated by cold and menthol, we hypothesized that this channel mediates cold- and menthol-induced histamine release in mast cells. Here, we report that TRPM8 is expressed in the basophilic leukemia mast cell line, RBL-2H3, and that exposure to menthol or low temperatures induced Ca²⁺ influx in RBL-2H3 cells, which was reversed by a TRPM8 blocker. Furthermore, menthol, a TRPM8 agonist, induced the dose-dependent release of histamine from RBL-2H3 cells. When TRPM8 transcripts were reduced by siRNA (small interfering RNA), menthol- and cold-induced Ca²⁺ influx and histamine release were significantly reduced. In addition, subcutaneous injection of menthol evoked scratching, a typical histamine-induced response which was reversed by a TRPM8 blocker. Thus, our findings indicate that TRPM8 mediates the menthol- and cold-induced allergic responses of mast cells, and suggest that TRPM8 antagonists be viewed as potential treatments for cold- and menthol-induced allergies.

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Dr. Raymond Oenbrink

Dr. Raymond Oenbrink DO is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) and the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM). He specializes in complex and chronic illnesses such as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).

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