Application of integrative physiological approach to evaluate human physiological responses to the inhalation of essential oils of Japanese citrus fruits iyokan (Citrus iyo) and yuzu (Citrus junos).

This study investigated the effects of essential oil odors from Japanese citrus fruits, iyokan (Citrus iyo) and yuzu (Citrus junos), on human psychology and both the autonomic and central nervous systems. The inhalation of both essential oils significantly increased miosis rate and fingertip temperature and could induce parasympathetic dominance by suppressing sympathetic nerve activity. Oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex increased after the inhalation of yuzu essential oil and decreased after the inhalation of iyokan essential oil. Subjectively, the inhalation of both essential oils reduced the feelings of fatigue and improved the feelings of refreshment, suggesting that the effect of autonomic nervous activity might involve in these psychological changes directly. Moreover, we observed that task performance improved after inhaling yuzu essential oil, which may be due to the increase in oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex.

2,3-Dimethylpyrazine (3DP) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) generated by the Maillard reaction in foods affect autonomic nervous activity and central nervous activity in human.

This study investigated the effect of the odors generated by the glycine/glucose Maillard reaction and the potent odorants 2,3-dimethylpyrazine (3DP) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) on the human mood and integrative physiological activity. The score of certain subjective moods, especially anger-hostility, and tension-anxiety were decreased significantly after inhalation of the Maillard reaction sample and DMHF, and fatigue-inertia mood was also significantly decreased by DMHF, suggesting a sedative effect of these odors on mood, while 3DP had no effect. Miosis rate and fingertip temperature increased significantly following inhalation of the odor from the Maillard reaction sample and both potent odorants, suggesting that the parasympathetic nervous system dominates through suppression of the sympathetic activity. The physiological relaxing effect of these odors was also confirmed by decreased flicker frequency value and decreased oxyhemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex.

Effects of direct cedrol inhalation into the lower airway on autonomic nervous activity in totally laryngectomized subjects.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: Relationships between smell sensation and autonomic changes have been studied extensively. However, the possibility that odorants may also act on the lung and lower airway remains unknown. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: The present results provide the first evidence that the lung and lower airway exert an inhibitory influence on the cardiovascular system in response to Cedrol (odorant) in the air under physiological conditions. AIMS: Previous studies reported that Cedrol (odorant) inhalation (CI) induced changes in autonomic balance and baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) in both healthy subjects and anosmic patients. This suggests that Cedrol may act on the lower airway, and that the pulmonary system may exert an inhibitory influence on the cardiovascular system. METHOD: To test the above possibility, vaporized Cedrol (64.0 +/- 7.7 10(-9)m) or blank air was directly inhaled through the lower airway from a hole in the trachea, but not through the upper airway, using totally laryngectomized subjects. During the experiment, ECG, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity was estimated by spectral analyses of variability in these parameters (heart rate variability (HRV), SBP variability (SBPV) and DBP variability (DBPV)). BRS was computed from transfer gain between SBP and the R-R interval of the ECG. RESULTS: SBP and DBP significantly decreased during CI, although there were no significant differences in HR and respiratory rate. BRS significantly increased during CI. The low frequency components of SBPV and DBPV (indices for sympathetic activity) significantly decreased during CI, while high frequency components of HRV (an index for parasympathetic activity) significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: The present experiment using totally laryngectomized patients replicated the similar results in healthy subjects who inhaled Cedrol through the nose, suppression of sympathetic outflow and increase in parasympathetic outflow. These results demonstrated that Cedrol acts on the lower airway and pulmonary system, and suggest a new target for drug therapy of hypertension.

[The influence of wearing a diaper on static and dynamic postural control in the elderly].

AIM: To clarify characteristics of static and dynamic postural control in elderly people, postural sway during static standing, during an activity, and static standing after the activity were compared between young and elderly subjects. In this study, the action of raising pants-type diapers was selected as the model activity for the measurement of dynamic postural control ability. METHODS: To make differences in the ease of putting on the diapers, their contraction strength around the abdomen was adjusted at 5 levels from loose to tight. Postural sway was measured first during static standing with open and closed eyes and, then, during activity and static standing after activity. The subjects' perceived difficulty in putting on the diapers was also evaluated. RESULTS: Postural sway tended to be larger in elderly than younger subjects during static standing, but the differences were not significant. Also, postural sway was markedly increased in elderly subjects during the raising of diapers requiring greater effort. In static standing after an action, postural sway also remained increased after putting on diapers requiring greater effort only in the elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: Postural sway increased, indicating a decline in the dynamic postural control ability, during an action in association with its level of difficulty even in elderly people showing no decline in static postural control ability. In addition, dynamic postural control responses appeared to affect subsequent static postural control responses, inducing a decline in ability.

Improvement of skin conditions by ingestion of Aspergillus kawachii (Koji) extract containing 14-dehydroergosterol in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The present study examined the effect of ingestion of Koji extract containing 14-dehydroergosterol (14-DHE), prepared from Aspergillus kawachii NBRC4308, on improvement of skin conditions among healthy volunteers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 70 healthy adult women who felt that their skin was dry ingested either a placebo dietary supplement or Koji extract (200 mg/day) supplement containing 0.1% 14-DHE for 12 weeks. Throughout the treatment period and for 4 weeks afterward, objective indicators - including moisture content of the stratum corneum, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin wrinkles - were evaluated; in addition, the subjects answered a questionnaire on their skin conditions with ratings on a visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was conducted on the basis of differences from baseline scores. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the Koji extract group showed significantly increased forearm moisture at 4, 8, and 16 weeks (p < 0.05 on unpaired t-test). The questionnaire survey showed a marked improvement in skin conditions, particularly crow's feet, in the Koji extract group versus the placebo group at 8 weeks (p < 0.05 by unpaired t-test). Furthermore, the Koji extract group showed a trend (p < 0.10) toward improvement in skin moisture (at 4 weeks), dryness around the eyes/mouth (at 4 weeks), and overall skin condition (at 8 weeks) versus the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of Koji extract containing 14-DHE was demonstrated to have positive effects toward improving skin conditions - in particular, on increasing skin moisture in the stratum corneum.

Application of heat- and steam-generating sheets to the lumbar or abdominal region affects autonomic nerve activity.

Effects of applying a heat- and steam-generating (HSG) sheet on peripheral hemodynamics and autonomic nerve activity were examined. An HSG sheet was applied to the lumbar or abdominal region. Measurements included skin temperature at the lumbar and abdominal regions and the fingertip, total hemoglobin, tissue oxygen saturation ratio (StO2), pupillary light reflex, changes in ECG R-R interval blood pressure and percutaneous electrogastrography (EGG). A heat-generating sheet without steam was used as the control. Based on the present findings, application of the HSG sheet to the lumbar or abdominal region may improve peripheral hemodynamics and inhibit sympathetic nerve activity, resulting in parasympathetic nerve activity dominance.

Autonomic responses during inhalation of natural fragrance of Cedrol in humans.

It is well known that odors affect behaviors and autonomic functions. Previous studies reported that some compounds in cedar wood essence induced behavioral changes including sedative effects. In the present study, we analyzed cardiovascular and respiratory functions while subjects were inhaling fumes of pure compound (Cedrol) which was extracted from cedar wood oil. Vaporized Cedrol (14.2+/-1.7 microg/l, 5 l/min) and blank air (5 l/min) were presented to healthy human subjects (n=26) via a face mask, while ECGs, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and respiratory rates (RR) were monitored. Statistical analyses indicated that exposure to Cedrol significantly decreased HR, SBP, and DBP compared to blank air while it increased baroreceptor sensitivity. Furthermore, respiratory rate was reduced during exposure to Cedrol. These results, along with the previous studies reporting close relationship between respiratory and cardiovascular functions, suggest that these changes in respiratory functions were consistent with above cardiovascular alterations. Spectral analysis of HR variability indicated an increase in high frequency (HF) component (index of parasympathetic activity), and a decrease in ratio of low frequency to high frequency components (LF/HF) (index of sympathovagal balance) during Cedrol inhalation. Furthermore, Cedrol inhalation significantly decreased LF components of both SBP and DBP variability, which reflected vasomotor sympathetic activity. Taken together, these patterns of changes in the autonomic parameters indicated that Cedrol inhalation induced an increase in parasympathetic activity and a reduction in sympathetic activity, consistent with the idea of a relaxant effect of Cedrol.

Thermotherapy to the facial region in and around the eyelids altered prefrontal hemodynamic responses and autonomic nervous activity during mental arithmetic.

To investigate neural mechanisms of local thermotherapy to reduce mental stress, participants were required to perform mental arithmetic after treatment by a heat- and steam-generating sheet on the facial eyelid region while hemodynamic activity and ECGs were monitored. The results indicated that thermotherapy decreased hemodynamic activity in the anterior dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (aDMPFC) involved in sympathetic activity. Consistently, thermotherapy increased parasympathetic activity while it decreased sympathetic activity. Furthermore, thermotherapy increased hemodynamic activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during mental arithmetic. These hemodynamic responses in the DLPFC during mental arithmetic were negatively correlated with that in the aDMPFC during thermotherapy. The results suggest that thermotherapy in the facial eyelid region is useful to ameliorate mental fatigue through its effects on the prefrontal cortex.

Effects of direct cedrol inhalation into the lower airway on brain hemodynamics in totally laryngectomized subjects.

A previous study reported that when cedrol (odorant) is inhaled directly through the lower airway of the trachea, it decreases the sympathetic nervous activity and blood pressure in totally laryngectomized subjects (Umeno et al., 2008). In the present study, totally laryngectomized subjects were asked to inhale cedrol into the lower airway in the same manner and its effects on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were analyzed. Our results indicated that hippocampal rCBF was bilaterally increased during cedrol inhalation as compared to the inhalation of blank air. These results provide the first evidence that an odorant in the lower airway modulates autonomic activity via the central nervous system.

[Neurophysiological effect of flavor and caffeine added to toothpaste].

OBJECTIVES: We previously reported that tooth brushing can be used for active resting as a fatigue-reducing method. In this study, we focused on toothpaste, aiming at increasing the fatigue-reducing effect of tooth brushing. METHODS: Flavoring and caffeine were added to toothpaste, and their effects were investigated employing the Flicker value, event-related potential P300, and mood scale. Thirteen healthy male and female adults (6 males and 7 females, mean age +/- standard deviation: 28.2 +/- 6.5 yr) performed a 25-minute calculation task using a personal computer, brushed their teeth using the toothpaste, and then repeated the calculation task. RESULTS: The P300 peak latency was significantly shortened after tooth brushing with the toothpaste containing flavoring and caffeine, compared to that after brushing with toothpaste containing no additives (p<0.01), and prolongation of the P300 peak latency after the calculation task was significantly inhibited (p<0.01). In addition, the accuracy of the calculation task tended to increase (p<0.1). Regarding the mood scale, "general fatigue" decreased (p<0.1), "lassitude" was significantly reduced (p<0.05), and "feeling of being refreshed" and "feeling of clear-headedness" were significantly increased (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the usefulness of tooth brushing with toothpaste with added flavoring and caffeine as a fatigue-reducing method.

Application of tooth brushing behavior to active rest.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the usefulness of tooth brushing with toothpaste as active rest using the flicker value as a physiological parameter and a subjective questionnaire as a psychological parameter. METHODS: Seventeen healthy, right-handed subjects (12 males and 5 females) aged 22.5 +/- 1.5 yr (mean +/- standard deviation) were randomly divided into tooth brushing with toothpaste (N=9) and non-tooth brushing groups (N=8). The subjects performed a serial calculation task for 20 min using personal computers. Subsequently, the tooth brushing group brushed their teeth, and the flicker value and mood were compared before and after the tooth brushing. RESULTS: The flicker value significantly increased in the tooth brushing group compared with the non-tooth brushing group (p<0.05). Concerning the mood, in the tooth brushing group, the incidence of a "feeling of being refreshed" significantly increased (p<0.05), that of "concentration power" or a "feeling of clear-headedness" tended to increase (p<0.1), and that of "lassitude" or "sleepiness" significantly decreased (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Somatosensory stimulation and intraoral tactile stimulation during tooth brushing activated cerebral activity, producing refreshing effects. These results suggest the applicability of tooth brushing to active rest.

Significant correlation between autonomic nervous activity and cerebral hemodynamics during thermotherapy on the neck.

Although local thermotherapy reduces mental stress and neck stiffness, its physiological mechanisms are still not fully understood. We speculated that local thermotherapy exerts its effect, in addition to its direct peripheral effects, through the central nervous system that is involved in controlling stress responses. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a heat- and steam-generating (HSG) sheet on cerebral hemodynamics and autonomic nervous activity using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and the electrocardiograms (ECGs). Thirteen healthy young female subjects participated in this study. HSG or simple (control) sheets were repeatedly applied to the neck for 120 s with 180 s intervals of rest between applications. During the experiment, brain hemodynamic responses (changes in Oxy-Hb, Deoxy-Hb, and Total-Hb) and autonomic nervous activity based on heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored. Subjective perception of neck stiffness and fatigue was significantly improved after application of the HSG sheet. NIRS findings indicated that the application of HSG sheets decreased Oxy-Hb concentration in the anterior-dorsal region of the medial prefrontal cortex (adMPFC), while increasing parasympathetic nervous activity and decreasing sympathetic nervous activity. Furthermore, changes in Oxy-Hb in the adMPFC were significantly and negatively correlated with those in parasympathetic nervous activity during application of the HSG sheet. These findings suggest that application of the HSG sheet to the neck region induced mental relaxation and ameliorated neck stiffness by modifying activity of the adMPFC.

Overseas survey of the effect of cedrol on the autonomic nervous system in three countries.

To clarify the influences of ethnic and regional characteristics, and differences in perception on the cedrol effect on autonomic nerve activity, we compared women in their 20s-40s in Norway, Thailand, and Japan. A questionnaire survey of sense of stress and sleep conditions was performed at the same time. The degree of perceived stress, using a 30-item checklist, was highest in Japanese women. The mean stress score exceeded 5.0 in Japanese women, significantly higher than in Thai women (p<0.05) and Norwegian women (p<0.01). Sleeping time was shortest in Japanese women in all generations among the three countries. As the index of autonomic nervous activity, the miosis rate (ratio of pupil-diameter variation after light stimulus to initial pupil diameter) in pupillary light reflex was measured before and after cedrol inhalation. The miosis rate significantly increased after cedrol exposure compared to that before exposure in all three countries, suggesting that the parasympathetic nervous system became dominant. These findings suggested that cedrol produces a sedative effect in people of the three countries despite differences in the ethnic and living environments.

Evaluation of the use of an integration-type laser-Doppler flowmeter with a temperature-loading instrument for measuring skin blood flow in elderly subjects during cooling load: comparison with younger subjects.

An integration-type laser-Doppler flowmeter, equipped with a temperature-load instrument, for measuring skin blood flow (ILD-T), and analytical parameters developed in a previous study were used to compare changes in the skin blood flow in the forehead and cheek in elderly subjects (in their 60s and 70s) with those in younger subjects (in their teens to 50s). Age-related differences in skin blood flow in the forehead and cheek in response to cooling were evaluated in 90 healthy women in their teens to 70s (mean age: 17.2 +/- 0.33 years for teenagers; 24.3 +/- 0.76 years for those aged 20-29 years; 34.8 +/- 1.12 years for those aged 30-39 years; 43.3 +/- 0.78 years for those aged 40-49 years; 53.8 +/- 1.13 years for those aged 50-59 years; 63.5 +/- 0.55 years for those aged 60-69 years; 72.2 +/- 0.70 years for those aged 70-79 years). The measurement was performed continuously for 5 min: for 1 min at a sensor temperature of 30 degrees C, for 2 min after the setting of the sensor temperature had been changed to 10 degrees C, and for 2 min after the temperature setting had been cancelled. The parameters analyzed were (1) skin temperature in a resting state before measurement ( T(rest)), (2) mean skin blood flow in 1 min at a sensor temperature of 30 degrees C ( F(30 degrees C)), (3) minimum skin blood flow at a sensor temperature of 10 degrees C ( F(min)), (4) slope of the blood flow plot during the period from the beginning of cooling at 10 degrees C to F(min) ( S(fall)), (5) time required for the sensor temperature to reach 10 degrees C (Delta t(s)), (6) maximum skin blood flow during the period from the end of cooling to the end of measurement ( F(max)), (7) slope of the blood flow plot during the period from F(min) to F(max) ( S(rise)), (8) rate of decrease of the skin blood flow during cooling: FDR = ( F(min)/ F(30 degrees C))x100, (9) recovery rate of the skin blood flow after the end of cooling: FRR = ( F(max)/ F(30 degrees C))x100. When correlations among the above nine parameters were evaluated by combining all age groups, significant correlations ( P < 0.01) were observed between F(30 degrees C) and F(min), F(30 degrees C) and F(max), F(30 degrees C) and S(fall), F(min) and F(max), and F(max) and S(rise) in the forehead. In the cheek, significant correlations ( P < 0.01) were observed in all these combinations except between F(max) and S(rise). When these analytical parameters were compared among the age groups, F(30 degrees C), T(rest), F(max), and S(rise) decreased significantly ( P < 0.02 for F(30 degrees C) and T(rest), P < 0.01 for F(max) and S(rise)) and S(fall) increased significantly ( P < 0.03) in the forehead with aging. However, no significant change with aging was observed in FDR, Delta t(s), F(min), and FRR. In the cheek, FDR increased significantly ( P < 0.03), and S(rise) decreased significantly ( P < 0.01) with aging. However, no significant change with aging was observed in F(30 degrees C), T(rest), F(max), S(fall), Delta t(s), F(min), and FRR. Thus, the decrease in the skin blood flow during cooling showed no marked quantitative change with age, but, with aging, the rate of this decrease was clearly reduced in the forehead. In the cheek, on the other hand, the skin blood flow decreased markedly with aging, but no clear change was observed in the rate of this decrease. By using ILD-T and examining various parameters obtained, the skin hemodynamics in the forehead and cheek during cooling from 30 degrees C to 10 degrees C could be analyzed, and differences in the hemodynamics between the forehead and cheek and between elderly and younger individuals were clarified. This instrument is expected to be clinically useful.