Fig. 6

Effects of gender and sex on AEW-induced chronic itch model. a The scheme of experiments with AEW-induced dry skin itch. b Statistical results showing AEW treatment induced more significant scratching behavior in female mice than in male mice, n = 10. c–e Representative immunoreactive bands and statistical results showing AEW treatment induced more significant increases in the protein expression of NLRP1, ASC, and caspase-1 in female mice than in male mice, n = 6. f–h Statistical results showing AEW treatment induced more significant increases in the mRNA levels of NLRP1, ASC, and caspase-1 in female mice than in male mice, n = 6. i–l Statistical results showing AEW treatment induced more significant increases in the content of IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α in female mice than in male mice, n = 4. Data are expressed as means ± SEM, ^*P < 0.05 and ^**P< 0.01 vs control group or male group