Regulation of plasma substance P and skin mast cells by odorants.
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.
Hosoi
Junichi
J
Shiseido Life Science Research Center, Yokohama 236-8643, Japan. junichi.hosoi@to.shiseido.co.jp
Tanida
Masahiro
M
Tsuchiya
Toru
T
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
D000085:Acetates; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D010476:Perfume; C435946:dimethylmethylene blue; D013373:Substance P; C072239:methyl jasmonate; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol; D008751:Methylene Blue