Relationship between Oxidative Stress, Physical Activity, and Vitamin Intake in Patients with Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Antioxidant nutrition and supplementation have been used to reduce oxidative stress. However, a clinical trial with antioxidant supplementation showed no beneficial effects in patients with asthma. On the other hand, physical activity is related to the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is also related to oxidant status. We investigated the relationships between oxidative stress, serum levels of vitamins, dietary vitamin intake, daily activities, and pulmonary functions in patients with asthma. METHODS: Eighteen patients with bronchial asthma were enrolled in this study. Reactive oxidative stress was assessed by measuring organic hydroperoxides (diacron reactive oxygen metabolites: dROM) in sera and by measuring H2O2 levels in exhaled breath condensates. The biological antioxidant capacity in serum was evaluated by measuring antioxidant potential capacity against ferric ion. We also assessed pulmonary functions, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, serum levels of vitamins, dietary vitamin intake, and physical activities. RESULTS: There were no relationships between the index of oxidative stress (dROM and H2O2 in exhaled breathe condensates) and pulmonary functions, serum levels of vitamins, daily vitamin intakes, and activity levels in patients with asthma. CONCLUSION: The status of transient oxidative stress may not be related to daily activities, vitamin levels, and pulmonary functions in patients with asthma in a real-life setting. However, our results were obtained in the short-term period from a small number of subjects, so a large longitudinal study is required to ascertain the relationships between oxidative stress, physical activity and vitamin intake in patients with asthma.

Pollen augments the influence of desert dust on symptoms of adult asthma patients.

BACKGROUND: East Asian desert dust storms that occur during mainly spring are called Asian dust storms (ADS). Our objective was to study the association of pollen and ADS with symptoms of adult asthma patients in Japan. METHODS: We designed a telephone survey to investigate the upper and lower respiratory, ocular, and skin symptoms of asthma patients during ADS in February, March, and December on 2009. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was also measured from February to May. RESULTS: We surveyed 106 patients in February, 101 patients in March, and 103 patients in December. In February and March, Japanese cedar and/or cypress pollen was also in the atmosphere during ADS, but no pollen was identified during December survey. Worsening of upper or lower respiratory, ocular, or skin symptoms was noted by 20.8% of patients in February, 33.7% in March, and 16.5% in December. Worsening of symptoms was significantly more common in March than in February or December. Two patients needed emergency treatment for exacerbation during ADS in March, but no patient needed hospitalization in any period. There was no significant difference of the daily morning PEF/personal best PEF ratio between ADS days and control days. However, in patients with worsening of upper and/or lower respiratory tract symptoms, the daily morning PEF/personal best ratio was significantly associated with the atmospheric level of particulate matter, but not with levels of pollen or other air pollutants. CONCLUSIONS: Pollen augmented symptoms in adult asthma patients, but ADS on its own also were able to aggravate symptoms and pulmonary function.

Correlation between Asian dust storms and worsening asthma in Western Japan.

BACKGROUND: Severe wind storms during spring in East Asia, called Asian dust storms (ADS), have been assessed in the past for their effect on health in Asian countries. Our objective was to study the ADS association with asthma symptoms in adult patients in Japan. METHODS: We designed a telephone survey to assess ADS influence on upper and lower respiratory, ocular and cutaneous symptoms in 98 patients with adult asthma from April to May 2007. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was also measured from February to May. RESULTS: Worsening lower respiratory symptoms were noted by 22 of 98 patients during ADS in April, when Japanese cedar pollen levels also increased. During ADS in May, however, Japanese cedar and cypress pollen levels were not elevated, 11 patients had worsening of lower respiratory symptoms. None required emergency treatment for the exacerbation. Lower respiratory symptoms worsening most were cough and sputum; this was more common in patients with allergic rhinitis or atopy than in those without (P < 0.05). Min%Max differed significantly at 88.7 ± 6.6% during dust dispersion period, defined as the ADS day plus the next 6 days, versus 92.0 ± 5.3% during the 7-day period before a dust storm. CONCLUSIONS: We found that ADS aggravated lower respiratory symptoms in adult patients with asthma, but this influence was mild.

[Detection of allergenic substances in foods by a multiplex PCR method].

A multiplex PCR (M-PCR) method was developed for the detection of DNAs of plant and three allergenic substances (wheat, buckwheat, and peanut) in foods. Genomic DNAs were extracted from allergenic substances with a commercial ion-exchange type kit. Four primer pairs suitable for the specific detection of plant DNA were designed to establish a M-PCR method detecting simultaneously the specific DNAs of plant and allergenic substances. Our four designed primer pairs and the primer pair described in the Japanese official method were applied to the specific detection of plant DNA. A primer pair of Plant01-5' and Plant01-3' (amplicon size; 161 bp) was the most suitable for the specific detection of plant DNA. M-PCR was performed to detect the specific DNAs of allergenic substances using four primer pairs, a pair of Plant01-5' and Plant01-3', and three pairs for allergenic components described in the Japanese official method. The four specific PCR bands were simultaneously amplified from genomic DNAs of allergenic substances. The proposed method is simple, rapid and inexpensive.

[Effect of santalol on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats].

Sandalwood oil is widely used in aromatherapy for alleviating various symptoms. Santalol, a major component of sandalwood oil, has been reported to have central nervous system depressant effects such as sedation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of santalol on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats. When inhaled at a concentration of 5 X 10(-2) ppm, santalol caused a significant decrease in total waking time and an increase in total non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time. In order to clarify the mechanism of action, olfactory hypofunction was caused in rats by intranasal application of 5% zinc sulfate solution, and thereafter the effects of inhalation of fragrances were evaluated. In this study, it was found that the impairment of the olfactory system showed no significant effect on the changes in sleep parameters induced by santalol. This result suggests that santalol may act via the circulatory system rather than the olfactory system. That is, santalol is thought to be absorbed into the blood through the respiratory mucosa, and then exert its action. From these results, it is concluded that santalol may be useful in patients having difficulty maintaining sleep without being affected by individual differences in perfume-related preference.