Effects of coffee bean aroma on the rat brain stressed by sleep deprivation: a selected transcript- and 2D gel-based proteome analysis

The Use of Coffee Aroma for Stress Reduction in Postgraduate Dental Students

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the potential reduction of academic stress related to a graded oral presentation in postgraduate dental students using coffee aromatherapy.

METHODS

Healthy postgraduate dental students in a seminar class were divided into coffee (n = 32) and control (n = 26) groups. There were 3 modes of aroma distribution: personal distribution with a coffee pad attached to a lanyard, a lanyard plus a personal fan for ventilation of the aroma, and the typical method of the diffuser to spread the aroma in the ambient air. Stress markers comprised levels of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), cortisol (sCort), and chromogranin A (sCgA). Pulse rates were also measured.

RESULTS

Levels of sAA increased 176.62% ± 30.26% between pre- and postpresentation in the control group. Inhaling coffee aroma during the presentation period significantly ameliorated sAA increase at 81.02% ± 14.90% (P = .015). sCort levels tended to decrease in the coffee group, but not significantly. Surprisingly, sCgA levels increased more in the coffee group. Also, pulse rates decreased in the coffee group (-2.07 ± 2.81 bpm) and increased in the control group (6.90 ± 3.22 bpm; P = .035). Subgroup analysis did not reveal differences in salivary markers amongst the 3 aroma distribution modes.

CONCLUSIONS

Coffee aroma could have an anxiolytic effect on postgraduate dental students, as evidenced by changes in sAA levels and pulse rates. Personal aroma distribution was also a useful and effective mode of aromatherapy.

Biomarkers in the Rat Hippocampus and Peripheral Blood for an Early Stage of Mental Disorders Induced by Water Immersion Stress

It is difficult to evaluate the pre-symptomatic state of mental disorders and prevent its onset. Since stress could be a trigger of mental disorders, it may be helpful to identify stress-responsive biomarkers (stress markers) for the evaluation of stress levels. We have so far performed omics analyses of the rat brain and peripheral blood after various kinds of stress and have found numerous factors that respond to stress. In this study, we investigated the effects of relatively moderate stress on these factors in the rat to identify stress marker candidates. Adult male Wistar rats underwent water immersion stress for 12 h, 24 h, or 48 h. Stress caused weight loss and elevated serum corticosterone levels, and alterations regarded as anxiety and/or fear-like behaviors. Reverse-transcription PCR and Western blot analyses revealed significant alterations in the expressions of hippocampal genes and proteins by the stress for no longer than 24 h, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD), small ubiquitin-like modifier proteins 1/sentrin-specific peptidase 5 (SENP5), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1), and MKP-1, MMP-8, nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). Similar alterations were observed in three genes (MKP-1, CEBPD, MMP-8) in the peripheral blood. The present results strongly suggest that these factors may serve as stress markers. The correlation of these factors in the blood and brain may enable the evaluation of stress-induced changes in the brain by blood analysis, which will contribute to preventing the onset of mental disorders.

Repeated exposure to kairomone-containing coffee odor improves abnormal olfactory behaviors in heterozygous oxytocin receptor knock-in mice

The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) knockout mouse is a model of autism spectrum disorder, characterized by abnormalities in social and olfactory behaviors and learning. Previously, we demonstrated that OXTR plays a crucial role in regulating aversive olfactory behavior to butyric acid odor. In this study, we attempted to determine whether coffee aroma affects the abnormal olfactory behavior of OXTR-Venus knock-in heterozygous mice [heterozygous OXTR (±) mice] using a set of behavioral and molecular experiments. Four-week repeated exposures of heterozygous OXTR (±) mice to coffee odor, containing three kairomone alkylpyrazines, rescued the abnormal olfactory behaviors compared with non-exposed wild-type or heterozygous OXTR (±) mice. Increased Oxtr mRNA expression in the olfactory bulb and amygdala coincided with the rescue of abnormal olfactory behaviors. In addition, despite containing the kairomone compounds, both the wild-type and heterozygous OXTR (±) mice exhibited a preference for the coffee odor and exhibited no stress-like increase in the corticotropin-releasing hormone, instead of a kairomone-associated avoidance response. The repeated exposures to the coffee odor did not change oxytocin and estrogen synthetase/receptors as a regulator of the gonadotropic hormone. These data suggest that the rescue of abnormal olfactory behaviors in heterozygous OXTR (±) mice is due to the coffee odor exposure-induced OXTR expression.

Stress-Relieving Effects of Sesame Oil Aroma and Identification of the Active Components

(1) Sesame oil aroma has stress-relieving properties, but there is little information on its effective use and active ingredients. (2) Methods: ICR male mice were housed under water-immersion stress for 24 h. Then, the scent of sesame oil or a typical ingredient was inhaled to the stress groups for 30, 60, or 90 min. We investigated the effects of sesame oil aroma on mice behavior and the expression of the dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) gene, a candidate stress marker gene in the brain. (3) Results: In an elevated plus-maze test, the rate of entering into the open arm of a maze and the staying time were increased to a maximum after 60 min of inhalation, but these effects decreased 90 min after inhalation. As for the single component, anxiolytic effects were observed in the 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol group, but the effect was weakened in the furfuryl mercaptan group. The expression levels of DUSP1 in the hippocampus and striatum were significantly decreased in 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol groups. (4) Conclusions: We clarified the active ingredients and optimal concentrations of sesame oil for its sedative effect. In particular, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol significantly suppressed the stress-induced changes in the expression of DUSP1, which are strong anti-stress agents. Our results suggest that these molecules may be powerful anti-stress agents.

Sensory Drivers of Consumer Acceptance, Purchase Intent and Emotions toward Brewed Black Coffee

The link between coffee aroma/flavor and elicited emotions remains underexplored. This research identified key sensory characteristics of brewed black coffee that affected acceptance, purchase intent and emotions for Thai consumers. Eight Arabica coffee samples were evaluated by eight trained descriptive panelists for intensities of 26 sensory attributes and by 100 brewed black coffee users for acceptance, purchase intent and emotions. Results showed that the samples exhibited a wide range of sensory characteristics, and large differences were mainly described by the attributes coffee identity (coffee ID), roasted, bitter taste, balance/blended and fullness. Differences also existed among the samples for overall liking, purchase intent and most emotion terms. Partial least square regression analysis revealed that liking, purchase intent and positive emotions, such as active, alert, awake, energetic, enthusiastic, feel good, happy, jump start, impressed, pleased, refreshed and vigorous were driven by coffee ID, roasted, ashy, pipe tobacco, bitter taste, rubber, overall sweet, balanced/blended, fullness and longevity. Contrarily, sour aromatic, sour taste, fruity, woody, musty/earthy, musty/dusty and molasses decreased liking, purchase intent and positive emotions, and stimulated negative emotions, such as disappointed, grouchy and unfulfilled. This information could be useful for creating or modifying the sensory profile of brewed black coffee to increase consumer acceptance.

Human blood serum proteome changes after 6 hours of sleep deprivation at night

Background

The aim of this study was to discover significantly changed proteins in human blood serum after loss of 6 h sleep at night. Furthermore, to reveal affected biological process- and molecular function categories that might be clinically relevant, by exploring systems biological databases.

Methods

Eight females were recruited by volunteer request. Peripheral venous whole blood was sampled at 04:00 am, after 6 h of sleep and after 6 h of sleep deprivation. We used within-subjects design (all subjects were their own control). Blood serum from each subject was depleted before protein digestion by trypsin and iTRAQ labeling. Labled peptides were analyzed by mass spectrometry (LTQ OritrapVelos Elite) connected to a LC system (Dionex Ultimate NCR-3000RS).

Results

We identified 725 proteins in human blood serum. 34 proteins were significantly differentially expressed after 6 h of sleep deprivation at night. Out of 34 proteins, 14 proteins were up-regulated, and 20 proteins were down-regulated. We emphasized the functionality of the 16 proteins commonly differentiated in all 8 subjects and the relation to pathological conditions. In addition, we discussed Histone H4 (H4) and protein S100-A6/Calcyclin (S10A6) that were upregulated more than 1.5-fold. Finally, we discussed affected biological process- and molecular function categories.

Conclusions

Overall, our study suggest that acute sleep deprivation, at least in females, affects several known biological processes- and molecular function categories and associates to proteins that also are changed under pathological conditions like impaired coagulation, oxidative stress, immune suppression, neurodegenerative related disorder, and cancer. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD021004.

Smell and Stress Response in the Brain: Review of the Connection between Chemistry and Neuropharmacology

The stress response in the brain is not fully understood, although stress is one of the risk factors for developing mental disorders. On the other hand, the stimulation of the olfactory system can influence stress levels, and a certain smell has been empirically known to have a stress-suppressing effect, indeed. In this review, we first outline what stress is and previous studies on stress-responsive biomarkers (stress markers) in the brain. Subsequently, we confirm the olfactory system and review previous studies on the relationship between smell and stress response by species, such as humans, rats, and mice. Numerous studies demonstrated the stress-suppressing effects of aroma. There are also investigations showing the effects of odor that induce stress in experimental animals. In addition, we introduce recent studies on the effects of aroma of coffee beans and essential oils, such as lavender, cypress, α-pinene, and thyme linalool on the behavior and the expression of stress marker candidates in the brain. The transfer of volatile components into the brain is also discussed while using the results of thyme linalool as an example. These studies may provide a good opportunity to connect chemical research at the molecular level with neuropharmacological approaches in the future.

The calming effect of roasted coffee aroma in patients undergoing dental procedures

Coffee beverage consumption is well-known to exert various health benefits; however, the effects of coffee aroma are rarely explored. This study aimed to investigate the calming effect of inhaling coffee aroma while the patients underwent dental procedures (probing and scaling). Salivary α-amylase (sAA) and cortisol (sCort) levels were measured as proxies of sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis responses to stress respectively. Blood pressures and pulse rates were recorded. The results showed that undergoing dental procedures could increase sAA and sCort levels of the patients inhaling sham aroma while those inhaling coffee aroma had significantly decreased sAA and sCort levels (40% and 25% differences, respectively). The pulse rates of those inhaling coffee aroma were also lower. Subjective assessment using visual analog scale was in line with objective measures as well. The preference for coffee aroma or the frequency of coffee drinking had no effect on the sAA and sCort responses. This is the first study to provide evidence on the effect of coffee aroma on sAA and sCort levels in patients undergoing dental procedures.

Effects of Sesame Oil Aroma on Mice after Exposure to Water Immersion Stress: Analysis of Behavior and Gene Expression in the Brain

(1) Background: Sesame has been popular as a healthy food since ancient times, and effects of the aroma component of roasted sesame are also expected. However, little research has been reported on its scent; (2) Methods: Jcl:ICR male mice were housed under water immersion stress for 24 h. Then, the scent of saline or sesame oil was inhaled to stress groups for 90 min. We investigated the effects of sesame oil aroma on the behavior and brains of mice; (3) Results: In an elevated plus maze test, the rate of entering to open arm and the staying time were decreased by the stress. These decrements were significantly enhanced by sesame oil aroma. Stress had a tendency to increase the serum corticosterone concentration, which was slightly decreased by the aroma. Expression of Kruppel-like factor-4 (Klf-4) and Dual-specificity phosphatase-1 (Dusp-1) in the striatum were increased by water immersion stress, and the level of Klf-4 and Dusp-1 in the striatum and hippocampus were significantly attenuated by sesame oil aroma (4) Conclusions: The present results strongly suggest that the odor component of sesame oil may have stress suppressing effects. Moreover, Klf-4 and Dusp-1 may be sensitive stress-responsive biomarkers.

DMHF (2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone), a volatile food component generated by the Maillard reaction, promotes appetite and changes gene expression in the rat brain through inhalation

Inhalation of odors can affect physiological parameter and change gene expression-related specific function. 2,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF) is one of the major odor compounds generated by the Maillard reaction. We previously reported that the inhalation of DMHF decreased systolic blood pressure via the autonomic nervous system in rats. The autonomic nervous system is also closely related to appetite regulation. The present study investigated the effects of DMHF on dietary intake and gene expression. The inhalation of DMHF increased the dietary intake of rats during the feeding period. However, body weight did not change after 6 weeks feeding. A DNA microarray analysis showed that DMHF altered gene expression associated with feeding behavior and neurotransmission in the rat brain. DMHF inhalation promotes appetite and changes gene expression in rats. Furthermore, phenotypic changes may regulate neurotransmission and appetite at the mRNA level in addition to controlling the autonomic nervous system. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: DMHF is an important flavor component in the food industry. In this study, we first observed that the inhalation of DMHF promotes appetite. This finding is directly connected with the industrial application.

Effect of one time coffee fragrance inhalation on working memory, mood, and salivary cortisol level in healthy young volunteers: a randomized placebo controlled trial

Background

Olfactory system regulates the brain which controls emotional memory. Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. Drinking coffee shows beneficial effects for mood, memory, and psychomotor performance. This work aimed to determine the effects of inhaling coffee fragrance on memory, mood, and salivary cortisol level in healthy young volunteers.

Methods

Eighty young males and females, aged between 18–22 years old, were randomly assigned into two groups: a placebo group inhaling scent from carbon powder and a coffee fragrance group inhaling coffee fragrance. Subjects were assigned to inhale either placebo or coffee fragrance for five minutes. Before and after inhalation period, the clinical assessments were assigned to each subject including computerized assessment battery test for cognitive performance, and self-related visual analogue mood scales for evaluation of mood score. The salivary cortisol level was assessed with cortisol ELISA kit. In addition, the blood pressure and heart rate were also evaluated.

Results

Inhalation of coffee fragrance enhanced cognitive parameters, including continuity of attention, quality of memory, and speed of memory, and also increased the mood score of alertness. However, there were no significant changes in salivary cortisol level, blood pressure, and heart rate between pre-and post-inhalation.

Conclusion

One time of coffee fragrance inhalation may enhance working memory and stimulates alertness. However, inhaling coffee fragrance does not reduce stress or modulate autonomic response to stress.

Coffee Drinking and Emotions: Are There Key Sensory Drivers for Emotions?

In the past couple of decades the coffee market has exploded, and to remain competitive, it is important to identify the key drivers for consumer acceptance of coffee. This study expanded on the previous emotion study on a population of coffee drinkers in Manhattan, Kansas, USA and focused on identifying the sensory drivers of emotional responses elicited during the coffee drinking experience (CDE). A trained coffee panel performed a descriptive analysis of six coffee samples and identified the key sensory attributes that discriminated each coffee. Utilizing Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR), the descriptive data were then mapped with the emotion data to identify sensory drivers for eliciting the emotional responses. The sensory characteristics of dark roast coffee (roast–aroma and flavor, burnt–aroma and flavor, bitter, and body) might elicit positive-high energy feelings for this population of coffee users. Tobacco (flavor) and cocoa (aroma) may also be responsible for positive emotions (content, good, and pleasant). Citrus and acidity seemed to be negative sensory drivers as they induced the feeling of off-balance. Sensory descriptive data could be useful to describe emotion profiles elicited by coffee drinking, which could help the coffee industry create coffee products for different segments of coffee drinkers.

NeuroPlace: Categorizing urban places according to mental states

Urban spaces have a great impact on how people's emotion and behaviour. There are number of factors that impact our brain responses to a space. This paper presents a novel urban place recommendation approach, that is based on modelling in-situ EEG data. The research investigations leverages on newly affordable Electroencephalogram (EEG) headsets, which has the capability to sense mental states such as meditation and attention levels. These emerging devices have been utilized in understanding how human brains are affected by the surrounding built environments and natural spaces. In this paper, mobile EEG headsets have been used to detect mental states at different types of urban places. By analysing and modelling brain activity data, we were able to classify three different places according to the mental state signature of the users, and create an association map to guide and recommend people to therapeutic places that lessen brain fatigue and increase mental rejuvenation. Our mental states classifier has achieved accuracy of (%90.8). NeuroPlace breaks new ground not only as a mobile ubiquitous brain monitoring system for urban computing, but also as a system that can advise urban planners on the impact of specific urban planning policies and structures. We present and discuss the challenges in making our initial prototype more practical, robust, and reliable as part of our on-going research. In addition, we present some enabling applications using the proposed architecture.

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Integrative Medicine

Since time immemorial humans have utilized natural products and therapies for their healing properties. Even now, in the age of genomics and on the cusp of regenerative medicine, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches represents a popular branch of health care. Furthermore, there is a trend towards a unified medical philosophy referred to as Integrative Medicine (IM) that represents the convergence of CAM and conventional medicine. The IM model not only considers the holistic perspective of the physiological components of the individual, but also includes psychological and mind-body aspects. Justification for and validation of such a whole-systems approach is in part dependent upon identification of the functional pathways governing healing, and new data is revealing relationships between therapies and biochemical effects that have long defied explanation. We review this data and propose a unifying theme: IM's ability to affect healing is due at least in part to epigenetic mechanisms. This hypothesis is based on a mounting body of evidence that demonstrates a correlation between the physical and mental effects of IM and modulation of gene expression and epigenetic state. Emphasis on mapping, deciphering, and optimizing these effects will facilitate therapeutic delivery and create further benefits.

Cross-talk between circadian clocks, sleep-wake cycles, and metabolic networks: Dispelling the darkness

Integration of knowledge concerning circadian rhythms, metabolic networks, and sleep‐wake cycles is imperative for unraveling the mysteries of biological cycles and their underlying mechanisms. During the last decade, enormous progress in circadian biology research has provided a plethora of new insights into the molecular architecture of circadian clocks. However, the recent identification of autonomous redox oscillations in cells has expanded our view of the clockwork beyond conventional transcription/translation feedback loop models, which have been dominant since the first circadian period mutants were identified in fruit fly. Consequently, non‐transcriptional timekeeping mechanisms have been proposed, and the antioxidant peroxiredoxin proteins have been identified as conserved markers for 24‐hour rhythms. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of interdependencies amongst circadian rhythms, sleep homeostasis, redox cycles, and other cellular metabolic networks. We speculate that systems‐level investigations implementing integrated multi‐omics approaches could provide novel mechanistic insights into the connectivity between daily cycles and metabolic systems.

Expression of BDNF and TH mRNA in the brain following inhaled administration of α-pinene

Essential oils are mainly administered by inhalation. Administration by inhalation is considered to occur through two pathways, neurological transfer and pharmacological transfer. However, the relationship between the two routes is not clear. To clarify this relationship, we administered α-pinene, which has an anxiolytic-like effect, to mice. Emotional behavior and accumulation and expression of relevant mRNAs in the brain (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)) were examined following inhaled administration of α-pinene (10 μL/L air for 60 or 90min). To evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect, the elevated plus maze (EPM) test was used. Inhalation of α-pinene for 60 min produced a significant increase in the total distance traveled in the EPM test compared with control (water). The concentration of α-pinene in the brain after 60 min of inhalation was significantly increased compared with that after 90 min of inhalation. The expression of BDNF mRNA in the olfactory bulb and in the hippocampus was almost the same after 60 min of inhalation compared to that after 90 min of inhalation. The expression of TH mRNA in the midbrain after 60 min of inhalation was significantly increased compared with that of the control. Thus, an increase in α-pinene in the brain induces an increase in TH mRNA expression and increases locomotor activity. The anxiolytic-like effect may be related to both neurological transfer and pharmacological transfer.

Screening and functional analysis of the peroxiredoxin specifically expressed in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus--the causative agent of pine wilt disease

The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease. Accurately differentiating B. xylophilus from other nematodes species, especially its related species B. mucronatus, is important for pine wood nematode detection. Thus, we attempted to identify a specific protein in the pine wood nematode using proteomics technology. Here, we compared the proteomes of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus using Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) technologies. In total, 15 highly expressed proteins were identified in B. xylophilus compared with B. mucronatus. Subsequently, the specificity of the proteins identified was confirmed by PCR using the genomic DNA of other nematode species. Finally, a gene encoding a specific protein (Bx-Prx) was obtained. This gene was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The in situ hybridisation pattern of Bx-Prx showed that it was expressed strongly in the tail of B. xylophilus. RNAi was used to assess the function of Bx-Prx, the results indicated that the gene was associated with the reproduction and pathogenicity of B. xylophilus. This discovery provides fundamental information for identifying B. xylophilus via a molecular approach. Moreover, the purified recombinant protein has potential as a candidate diagnostic antigen of pine wilt disease, which may lead to a new immunological detection method for the pine wood nematode.

No association of coffee consumption with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, reflux esophagitis, and non-erosive reflux disease: a cross-sectional study of 8,013 healthy subjects in Japan

Probably due to caffeine-induced gastric acid secretion, negative effects of coffee upon various upper-gastrointestinal diseases have been precariously accepted, despite the inadequate epidemiological evidence. Our aim is to evaluate the effect of coffee consumption on four major acid-related diseases: gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU), reflux esophagitis (RE), and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) based on the large-scale multivariate analysis. Of the 9,517 healthy adults, GU, DU, and RE were diagnosed by endoscopy, and NERD was diagnosed by the symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation without esophageal erosion. Associations between coffee consumption and the four disorders were evaluated, together with age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection status, pepsinogen I/II ratio, smoking, and alcohol. We further performed meta-analysis using the random effects model to redefine the relationship between coffee intake and peptic ulcer disease. The eligible 8,013 study subjects comprised of 5,451 coffee drinkers and 2,562 non-coffee drinkers. By univariate analysis, age, BMI, pepsinogen I/II ratio, smoking, and alcohol showed significant associations with coffee consumption. By multiple logistic regression analysis, positively correlated factors with significance were HP infection, current smoking, BMI, and pepsinogen I/II ratio for GU; HP infection, pepsinogen I/II ratio, and current smoking for DU; HP non-infection, male, BMI, pepsinogen I/II ratio, smoking, age, and alcohol for RE; younger age, smoking, and female for NERD. The meta-analyses could detect any association of coffee consumption with neither GU nor DU. In conclusion, there are no significant relationship between coffee consumption and the four major acid-related upper gastrointestinal disorders.

Effect on Emotional Behavior and Stress by Inhalation of the Essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa

Various effects have been reported in the literature for the essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa (EOCO), such as antibacterial and antifungal activity. In this study, we examined the effect of EOCO on emotional behavior and stress-induced biomarkers. Male ICR mice, aged 5 weeks at the start of each experiment, were individually housed in cages for 1 week. After placing each mouse in a glass container and exposing it to EOCO for 90 min, we then investigated the influence on emotional behavior using the elevated-plus maze (EPM) test, which is one of the evaluation methods for anxiolytic-like behavior. Significant anxiolytic-like effects were observed for the 7.0 mg/L air EOCO ( P<0.05). After the EPM test, mice were dissected and changes in the stress-induced biomarkers within the brain were investigated by examining the amounts of fast nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) and activity regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) gene expression, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and galactokinase 1 (GLK1) protein expression. Significant increases were observed in the amount of NGFR after inhalation of 7.0 mg/L air EOCO ( P<0.05). These results indicate that EOCO has both anxiolytic-like and stress mitigation effects.

Anxiolytic and hypnotic effects in mice of roasted coffee bean volatile compounds

To clarify the relationship between the volatile compounds present in roasted coffee beans and psychological stress, we investigated the stress-reducing potential of coffee volatiles in mice using a variety of behavioral pharmacology methods. In the elevated plus-maze test, exposure to coffee volatiles increased the time spent in and the number of entries into the open arms without increasing spontaneous locomotor activity. Pentobarbital-induced sleep time was prolonged by volatile exposure. No significant effects were detected in the open-field or forced-swim tests. These results suggest that coffee volatiles lower the arousal level and exert anti-anxiety-like, stress-reducing effects in mice.

Effects of Inhaled Lavender Essential Oil on Stress-Loaded Animals: Changes in Anxiety-Related Behavior and Expression Levels of Selected mRNAs and Proteins

Inhalation of various essential oils elicits behavioral changes as a consequence of a complex centrally coordinated response. To understand the molecular mechanisms of action of aromatic compounds on emotional responses, we evaluated the stress-induced changes in mouse brain and the efficacy of inhaled essential oil from Lavandula officinalis (LvEO) using two approaches: a behavioral test, and examining the expression levels of selected genes {fast nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA, activity regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) mRNA} and proteins {galactokinase 1 (GLK1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)}. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups depending on the treatment given: stress (-)/H2O, stress (-)/LvEO, stress (+)/H2O, and stress (+)/LvEO group. For behavioral testing, using an elevated plus-maze test, significant anxiolytic-like effects were seen in both the stress (-)/LvEO and stress (+)/LvEO groups, indicating that LvEO exerts anxiolytic-like effects regardless of the administration of water immersion stress. On expression analysis, the levels of NGFR and Arc mRNA were significantly lower in animals subjected to stress. Inhalation of LvEO, however, reversed this change, thus suggesting that LvEO negates the impact of stress on gene expression levels. Meanwhile, significant decreases in expression levels were also observed in the stress (-)/LvEO group, which implies that LvEO, when given in a stress-free situation, may act as a stress stimulus. Taken together, our data suggest that inhalation of LvEO exerts bidirectional influences in the central nervous system (CNS) of animals, either attenuating the effects of stress or acting as a stressor, depending on the subject state.

Neuron differentiation-related genes are up-regulated in the hypothalamus of odorant-inhaling rats subjected to acute restraint stress

To elucidate some physiopsychological effects of a pleasant odor, we analyzed gene expression profiles in the hypothalamus of rats which, under a restraint-stressed condition, inhaled (R)-(-)-linalool. Consequently, 697 probe sets showed significant expression changes in the odorant-inhaling rats subjected to 2 h of restraint stress (false discovery rate < 0.05). We observed up-regulation of 594 among them, including genes related to neuron differentiation and transcriptional regulatory factors. Another important result was that inhalation of (R)-(-)-linalool returned the expression of 49 restraint-regulated genes to a normal condition. In contrast, the inhalation also further up-regulated the expression of 16 restraint-up-regulated genes that included those encoding heat shock proteins as factors to induce some biological responses against stresses. In the present study we thus found the substantial example that, in the hypothalamus involved in feeding behaviors, an inhaled pleasant odor acts to regulate the gene expression related to the functions of neuronal developments to cope with stresses.

Advances in Nutrigenomics research: novel and future analytical approaches to investigate the biological activity of natural compounds and food functions

In recent years, nutrition research has moved from classical epidemiology and physiology to molecular biology and genetics. Following this trend, Nutrigenomics has emerged as a novel and multidisciplinary research field in nutritional science that aims to elucidate how diet can influence human health. It is already well known that bioactive food compounds can interact with genes affecting transcription factors, protein expression and metabolite production. The study of these complex interactions requires the development of advanced analytical approaches combined with bioinformatics. Thus, to carry out these studies Transcriptomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics approaches are employed together with an adequate integration of the information that they provide. In this article, an overview of the current methodologies and a thorough revision of the advances in analytical technologies and their possibilities for future developments and applications in the field of Nutrigenomics is provided.