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- Title
Effects of Short-Term Aromatherapy on Nrf2 Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.
- Authors
Chiaki Takagi; Yuichiro Kurone; Chiyomi Okamoto; Naoto Hirata; Shin Ohta; Sadahiko Shimoeda
- Abstract
Cancer chemotherapy has markedly advanced, playing an important role in cancer treatment. However, adverse reactions are strong, increasing patients3 physical/mental stress. A transcription factor, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in normal cells, being responsible for a portion of the protective response to oxidative stress. Briefly, if Nrf2 expression can be increased, chemotherapy-related adverse events maybe prevented. Recently, it was reported that aromatherapy influenced antioxidant substances; it may increase Nrf2 expression. In this study, we examined whether or not short-term aromatherapy influences Nrf2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in healthy adults prior to examination in cancer patients. Simultaneously, a questionnaire survey with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) system and autonomic function measurement were conducted. In 34 healthy volunteers, aromatherapy for 30 minutes was performed, and blood was collected before and after this therapy. Simultaneously, the above questionnaire survey and autonomic function measurement were conducted. PBMC nuclear fractions were separated from blood samples, and Nrf2 expression was confirmed using Western blotting. After aromatherapy, the parasympathetic nervous system was activated, and VAS assessment showed stressrelieving effects. In some subjects, there was a change in the blood tone after aromatherapy, and there was an increase in Nrf2 expression. Aromatherapy increased Nrf2 expression in PBMC, suggesting enhanced antioxidant blood cell activity. Furthermore, deep breathing/an increase in the blood oxygen concentration related to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system may have increased the level of oxygenated hemoglobin, influencing the blood tone. The results suggest that aromatherapy activates Nrf2 in PBMC. Thus, Nrf2 may exhibit cytoprotective and drug-metabolism-promoting effects; we found a new usefulness for aromatherapy. In the future, the period during which Nrf2 activation by aromatherapy continues should be confirmed in healthy adults, and its influence on treatment must be examined.
- Subjects
BLOOD cells; AROMATHERAPY; PARASYMPATHETIC nervous system; OXYGEN in the blood; PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; CYTOPROTECTION; RESPIRATION
- Publication
Pharmacometrics / Ōyō Yakuri (0300-8533), 2020, Vol 99, Issue 5/6, p115
- ISSN
0300-8533
- Publication type
Article