title: Regulation of plasma substance P and skin mast cells by odorants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mast cells stimulate inflammation and itch sensation in the skin by releasing various mediators when they are activated. Stress exacerbates some skin diseases. We have reported that inhalation of certain odorants modulates immune reactions in the skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The possible usage of odorants in the regulation of skin inflammation and itch sensation was to be examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female volunteers were subjected to interview stress with or without odorant inhalation. Mice were immobilized while inhaling odorants. Toluidene blue-stained sections were analyzed for activated mast cells. Plasma substance P level was determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interview stress induced plasma substance P only in volunteers who did not inhale odorants containing 2% 1,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl benzene (DMMB). Immobilization stress induced mast cell activation in mice and the activation was blocked by exposure to DMMB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stress causes mast cell activation via an increase in substance P. The effect of stress is suppressed by inhalation of DMMB.
authors.affiliation: Shiseido Life Science Research Center, Yokohama 236-8643, Japan. junichi.hosoi@to.shiseido.co.jp
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hosoi
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanida
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009812:Odorants; D054883:Oxylipins; D010476:Perfume / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D010476:Perfume; C435946:dimethylmethylene blue; D013373:Substance P; C072239:methyl jasmonate; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol; D008751:Methylene Blue