Evaluation of the role of bile acids and serotonin as markers of pruritus in children with chronic cholestatic liver disease

Abstract

Background and study aimsPruritus is an annoying symptom with an unclear pathogenesis accompanied by chronic cholestasis. This cross-sectional study was conducted to define the relationship between serum levels of presumed pruritogens (bile acids (BAs) and serotonin) and severity of pruritus in pediatric patients with chronic cholestatic liver disease. Patients and methodsA total of 28 children suffering from pruritus due to chronic cholestatic liver disease and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were examined. Scores obtained used the 5-D itch scale were evaluated among patients. Serum levels of BAs and serotonin were determined using enzymatic assays and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. ResultsPatients had higher serum BA levels and lower serotonin levels than control subjects. Serum BA levels were significantly elevated in 61% of patients. The 5-D itch scale scores were significantly higher in cholestatic individuals with normal γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Neither BA nor serotonin levels correlated with the severity of the 5-Ditch scale score. ConclusionNeither BA nor serotonin levels correlated with the severity of pruritus, indicating that they may not be good laboratory markers for the intensity of itch in children with cholestasis. Our findings suggest that it is necessary to identify another potential pruritogenic mediator, most probably of a biliary origin.