• Title/Summary/Keyword: Olfactory

Search Result 395, Processing Time 0.026 seconds

Inhaled Volatile Molecules-Responsive TRP Channels as Non-Olfactory Receptors

  • Hyungsup Kim;Minwoo Kim;Yongwoo Jang
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
    • /
    • v.32 no.2
    • /
    • pp.192-204
    • /
    • 2024
  • Generally, odorant molecules are detected by olfactory receptors, which are specialized chemoreceptors expressed in olfactory neurons. Besides odorant molecules, certain volatile molecules can be inhaled through the respiratory tract, often leading to pathophysiological changes in the body. These inhaled molecules mediate cellular signaling through the activation of the Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in peripheral tissues. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TRP channels that are involved in the detection and response to volatile molecules, including hazardous substances, anesthetics, plant-derived compounds, and pheromones. The review aims to shed light on the biological mechanisms underlying the sensing of inhaled volatile molecules. Therefore, this review will contribute to a better understanding of the roles of TRP channels in the response to inhaled molecules, providing insights into their implications for human health and disease.

The Change of Salivary Flow Rate according to Olfactory Stimulation

  • Noh, Hee;Im, Yeong-Gwan;Kim, Byung-Gook
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
    • /
    • v.42 no.3
    • /
    • pp.62-71
    • /
    • 2017
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of salivation before and after olfactory stimulation using BPO (black pepper oil) and then, to collect basic data for screening the possibility of introducing olfactory stimulus to prevent and improve dry mouth. Methods: The subjects in this study were 60 college students in Jeon-Nam province. The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups; the BPO group (n=20), the lavender oil (LVO) group (n=20), and the distilled water (DW) group (n=20). The amount of whole saliva before and after olfactory stimulation was measured 14 times for a 4-week period. Results: In the BPO and LVO groups, the amount of whole saliva increased after the olfactory stimulation and it was most prominent in the BPO group (p<0.05). The difference of whole salivation was higher in the BPO group (p<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the salivary flow rate in the DW group. After 14 times of measurement for 4 weeks, the BPO and LVO groups showed an increase in salivary rate at an early stage compared without stimulation (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the middle. Since the twelfth measurement, whole saliva secretion increased and maintained the elevated level (p<0.05). Conclusions: The olfactory stimulation using BPO may contribute to stimulating salivation. Further studies are needed for subjects with dry mouth symptoms. In the future, qualitative and quantitative studies should be conducted for people who complains about oral dryness.

Functional Anatomy of the Olfactory Organ in the Torrent Catfish, Liobagrus somjinensis(Siluriformes, Amblycipitidae) (섬진자가사리 Liobagrus somjienesis(Siluriformes, Adrianichthyidae) 후각기관의 기능 해부학적 구조)

  • Kim, Hyun Tae;Park, Jong Young
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
    • /
    • v.30 no.1
    • /
    • pp.65-68
    • /
    • 2018
  • The anatomical study of the olfactory organ in Liobagrus somjinensis, being related to the habitat environment and ecological habit, was carried out using a stereomicroscopy and digital camera. The paired olfactory organs are situated at the dorsal part of the snout, and consisted of two opening (anterior and posterior nostrils) and the olfactory chamber. The tubular anterior nostril is located between the tip of upper lip and the nasal barbel. The posterior nostril flat to the surface is adjacent entirely to the basement of the nasal barbel. The olfactory chamber has a rosette structure with 22~24 lamellae of linguiform, arranged transversely and radially from the medium raphe. These results may prove that L. somjinensis is dependent on olfaction, related to the hiding, the feeding and the nocturnal lifestyle in rapids.

Structure and Histological Characters of the Olfactory Organ in Korean Endemic Fish, Microphysogobio yaluensis (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) (돌마자 Microphysogobio yaluensis(Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) 후각기관의 구조 및 조직학적 특성 연구)

  • Kim, Hyun Tae;Lee, Yong Joo;Kim, Hyeong Su;Park, Jong Young
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
    • /
    • v.30 no.3
    • /
    • pp.161-166
    • /
    • 2018
  • The olfactory organ of Korean endemic fish Microphysogobio yaluensis are described anatomically and histologically, focused on relationship to its habitat and ecology. The paired olfactory organs are located at the dorsal snout, and externally consist of two semicircular nostrils and single nasal flap. They internally have rosette structure with 22 to 24 units of lamellae and the raphe inside the olfactory chamber. The lamella is made up of the sensory and the non-sensory epitheliums. The sensory epithelium has olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells and basal cells whereas the nonsensory epithelium has stratified epithelial cells, ciliated non-sensory cells and mucous cells with acidic and neutral mucins. These structures might be considered that M. yaluensis has the olfactory organ which corresponds to the high sensitivity for its habitat and ecology, and is usable as a taxonomic key.

Altered expression of parvalbumin immunoreactivity in rat main olfactory bulb following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

  • Yu, Yeon Hee;Park, Dae-Kyoon;Yoo, Dae Young;Kim, Duk-Soo
    • BMB Reports
    • /
    • v.53 no.4
    • /
    • pp.234-239
    • /
    • 2020
  • Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures and caused by various factors and mechanisms. Malfunction of the olfactory bulb is frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. However, the morphological changes in the olfactory bulb during epilepsy-induced neuropathology have not been elucidated. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the expression of parvalbumin (PV), one of the calcium-binding proteins, and morphological changes in the rat main olfactory bulb (MOB) following pilo-carpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). Pilocarpine-induced SE resulted in neuronal degeneration in the external plexiform layer (EPL) and glomerular layer (GL) of the MOB. PV immunoreactivity was observed in the neuronal somas and processes in the EPL and GL of the control group. However, six hours after pilocarpine administration, PV expression was remarkably decreased in the neuronal processes compared to the somas and the average number of PV-positive interneurons was significantly decreased. Three months after pilocarpine treatment, the number of PV-positive interneurons was also significantly decreased compared to the 6 hour group in both layers. In addition, the number of NeuN-positive neurons was also significantly decreased in the EPL and GL following pilocarpine treatment. In double immunofluorescence staining for PV and MAP2, the immunoreactivity for MAP2 around the PV-positive neurons was significantly decreased three months after pilocarpine treatment. Therefore, the present findings suggest that decreases in PV-positive GABAergic interneurons and dendritic density in the MOB induced impaired calcium buffering and reciprocal synaptic transmission. Thus, these alterations may be considered key factors aggravating olfactory function in patients with epilepsy.

Functional Recovery Following the Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells in Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model

  • Muniswami, Durai Murugan;Tharion, George
    • Asian Spine Journal
    • /
    • v.12 no.6
    • /
    • pp.998-1009
    • /
    • 2018
  • Study Design: Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from rat olfactory mucosa were cultured, characterized, and transplanted into a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Purpose: To evaluate different doses of OECs in a rat model of SCI. Overview of Literature: SCI causes permanent functional deficit because the central nervous system lacks the ability to perform spontaneous repair. Cell therapy strategies are being explored globally. The clinical use of human embryonic stem cell is hampered by ethical controversies. Alternatively, OECs are a promising cell source for neurotransplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different doses of allogenic OEC transplantation in a rat model of SCI. Methods: OECs were cultured from the olfactory mucosa of Albino Wistar rats; these cells were characterized using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Rats were divided into five groups (n=6 rats each). In each group, different dosage ($2{\times}10^5$, $5{\times}10^5$, $10{\times}10^5$, and >$10{\times}10^5$) of cultured cells were transplanted into experimentally injured spinal cords of rat models. However, in the SCI group, only DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) was injected. Rats were followed up upto 8 weeks post-transplantation. The outcome of transplantation was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scale; motor-evoked potential studies; and histological examination. Results: Cultured cells expressed 41% of p75NTR, a marker for OEC, and 35% of anti-fibronectin, a marker for olfactory nerve fibroblast. These cells also expressed $S100{\beta}$ and glial fibrillary acid protein of approximately 75% and 83%, respectively. All the transplanted groups showed promising BBB scores for hind-limb motor recovery compared with the SCI group (p<0.05). A motor-evoked potential study showed increased amplitude in all the treated groups compared with the SCI. Green fluorescent protein-labeled cells survived in the injured cord, suggesting their role in the transplantation-mediated repair. Transplantation of $5{\times}10^5$ cells showed the best motor outcomes among all the doses. Conclusions: OECs demonstrated a therapeutic effect in rat models with the potential for future clinical applications.

Features and Interpretation of Olfactory and Gustatory Disorders in the Corona Virus Disease-19 (코로나바이러스감염증-19에서 나타나는 후미각손상의 특성과 한의학적 분석)

  • Chi, Gyoo-yong
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.34 no.6
    • /
    • pp.309-318
    • /
    • 2020
  • Besides respiratory infection, COVID-19 has many neurological symptoms not only loss of smell and taste but also fatigue and brain fog. But it is a challenge to treat the neurological symptoms especially of anosmia and ageusia. In order to search for the therapeutic methods, the geographical diversity and pathological mechanisms of the COVID-19 and two symptoms were investigated from the latest clinical studies. Because the environmental conditions of the monsoon climate zone of East Asia and the Mediterranean and Oceanic climate zone of Italy, Britain, United States and tropical Brazil are different, each of diverse etiology and internal milieu should be considered differently in the treatment. SARS-CoV-2 exhibits the dampness-like characteristics and the olfactory and gustatory disorders are particularly more common than other flu or cold. and it tends to show features of damaging the lung qi of olfaction and heart-spleen qi of gustation. The mechanisms of olfactory and gustatory loss are various according to precursory, inflammatory, non-inflammatory and sequelar forms, so the therapeutic method should be designed for each period and pathology. If the process of inflammation arises from nasal and respiratory, olfactory epithelium to the central nervous structure by way of blood brain barrier, the treatment should be corresponded with the stage and depth of pathogen place. And if the olfactory loss is asymptomatic or in the initial stage, it can be applied intranasal topical scent therapy to relieve temporary locking of qi movement, but maybe also used in parallel together with herbs of relieving dampness toxin latent in the lung parenchyma.

Olfactory Sensitivity Characteristics of Odors from Injection Molding Processing (사출성형 공정에서 유발되는 냄새의 후각 감성 특성)

  • Ryu, Young-Jae;Kim, Bo-Seong;Lee, Ye-Hyun;Kwak, Seung-Hyun;Seo, Sang-Hyeok;Ryu, Tae-Beum;Min, Byung-Chan
    • Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
    • /
    • v.39 no.4
    • /
    • pp.67-71
    • /
    • 2016
  • The purpose of this study was to explore olfactory sensitivity of odors from injection molding processing. To do this, the experiment was carried out in an injection molding factory, and participants were exposed to the environment where odor-substances (Formaldehyde, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, Styrene) exist. In addition, we used the subjective scale using semantic adjectives as an olfactory sensitivity. As a result, the assessment structure of olfactory sensitivity was composed of eight factors (irritant, thermal, tense, unique, like-dislike, active, stable, masculine), and the main factor which was irritant characteristics explained 20% of the total olfactory sensibility. These results suggested that odors from injection molding processing would cause more negative emotional responses than the flavor which is mainly used in olfactory sensitivity. This study, as a basic study of the improvement in a factory environment for the efficiency of work, has limits in that it was conducted to the extent of identifying the olfactory sensitivity structure of those who were at a laboratory and who were exposed to the environment of odor substance induced in the injection molding processing. Therefore, for the method of removing malodorous substance, the effect of materials which can neutralize it, and the comparison of a direct performance in the environment where negative sensitivity structure exists, a series of studies which aim to improve the environment of injection molding factories, such as performance assessment in the environment of a factory and an office need to be conducted. It is expected that when these studies are put together, the improvement guidelines will be provided as a type that can maximize the effectiveness of work in the factory environment where injection molding processing is done.

A Study on the Electrophysiological Response of the Cerebral Cortex by Olfactory Stimulation: Alpha Activity (후각자극에 의한 대뇌겉질의 전기생리학적 반응에 대한 연구: 알파 활동도)

  • Kang, Ji-Hyuk
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
    • /
    • v.51 no.4
    • /
    • pp.462-467
    • /
    • 2019
  • Many studies in recent decades have revealed that olfactory stimulation by perfume or malodor inhalation exerts various psychological and physiological effects on humans. The most recent studies have examined the electrophysiological response of olfactory stimulation on the activity of human cortical nerve cells. The purpose of this current study is to quantitatively analyze what changes occur in the alpha activity in healthy participants (N=12) on olfactory stimulation using two types of odors (acacia and butanol). Exposure to the odor of acacia perfume was associated with a significant increase (66.7%) in alpha activity when compared with that of the no-odor background EEG. Exposure to the odor of butanol was associated with a significant reduction (33.3% to 41.7%) in EEG alpha activity when compared with that of the no-odor control. The results of this study demonstrated the potential to alter the cerebral cortex activity by olfactory stimulation. The results also suggest that olfactory perception has stimulatory effects on the function of the nervous system. In other words, it could be concluded from this study that inhalation of olfactory stimulation affected brain wave activities and mood states. Further research is needed to completely understand and describe the electrophysiological effects of different odors on the central nervous system.