Determination of susceptibility factors in multiple chemical sensitivity due to exposure to volatile organic compounds and development of their treatment

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H03181
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58020:Hygiene and public health-related: including laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Ohta Shigeru 和歌山県立医科大学, 薬学部, 教授 (60160503)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 佐能 正剛 和歌山県立医科大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (00552267) ; 古武 弥一郎 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(薬), 教授 (20335649)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 化学物質過敏症 / 揮発性有機化合物 / 匂い物質 / 嗅上皮 / 薬物代謝酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we revealed that drug (xenobiotic)-metabolizing enzymes are expressed in mouse olfactory epithelium and nasal mucus (nasal lavage fluid), and are involved in metabolic reactions of volatile organic compounds with aldehydes, which are common odorants. Furthermore, the activity was also confirmed in humans, and individual differences were observed. The results suggest that metabolism in nasal tissue may be a factor in the susceptibility to odor-based multiple chemical sensitivity to volatile organic compounds, although the relevance to odor sensitivity needs to be evaluated in the future.

Free Research Field

衛生薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究を通して、鼻組織における揮発性有機化合物の異物代謝能が、その匂いに基づく化学物質過敏症の感受性を決めている可能性が示唆された。化学物質過敏症においては、検査所見から原因物質を早期に特定し、室内環境から排除することが重要な位置づけとなるが、根本的な薬物治療が確立していない中で、薬物代謝活性を指標とした診断や、薬物代謝酵素の制御による新規治療法の確立に貢献できることが期待される。