Electrohypersensitivity as a Newly Identified and Characterized Neurologic Pathological Disorder: How to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent It

Since 2009, we built up a database which presently includes more than 2000 electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and/or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) self-reported cases. This database shows that EHS is associated in 30% of the cases with MCS, and that MCS precedes the occurrence of EHS in 37% of these EHS/MCS-associated cases. EHS and MCS can be characterized clinically by a similar symptomatic picture, and biologically by low-grade inflammation and an autoimmune response involving autoantibodies against O-myelin. Moreover, 80% of the patients with EHS present with one, two, or three detectable oxidative stress biomarkers in their peripheral blood, meaning that overall these patients present with a true objective somatic disorder. Moreover, by using ultrasonic cerebral tomosphygmography and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, we showed that cases have a defect in the middle cerebral artery hemodynamics, and we localized a tissue pulsometric index deficiency in the capsulo-thalamic area of the temporal lobes, suggesting the involvement of the limbic system and the thalamus. Altogether, these data strongly suggest that EHS is a neurologic pathological disorder which can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Because EHS is becoming a new insidious worldwide plague involving millions of people, we ask the World Health Organization (WHO) to include EHS as a neurologic disorder in the international classification of diseases.

Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 and Substance P Mediate the Development of Gastric Mucosal Lesions in a Water Immersion Restraint Stress Rat Model

BACKGROUND

Activation of substance P (SP) contributes to the development and maintenance of gastric lesions, but the mechanisms underlying the release of SP and SP-mediated damage to the gastric mucosa remain unknown. Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is expressed in SP-positive neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and stomach of rats. We hypothesized that water immersion restraint stress (WIRS) may activate and sensitize TRPA1 in DRG neurons, subsequently inducing the release of SP from DRG and stomach cells, causing the development of acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML).

METHODS

Changes in TRPA1 and SP expression in T8-11 DRG sensory neurons and the stomach in an AGML rat model were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The SP levels of serum and gastric mucosa were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gastric lesions were evaluated by histopathological changes. The TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 and TRPA1 agonists allyl isothiocyanate were used to verify effect of TRPA1 and SP on AGML.

RESULTS

SP and TRPA1 in the DRG and stomach were upregulated, and the serum and gastric mucosa levels of SP were increased after WIRS, which are closely associated with AGML. The release of SP was suppressed and AGML were alleviated following a selective TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031. TRPA1 agonists AITC increased release of SP and led to moderate gastric lesions. We confirmed that WIRS induced the release of SP in the DRG, stomach, serum and gastric mucosa, and in a TRPA1-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulated SP and TRPA1 in the DRG and stomach and increased serum and gastric mucosa SP levels may contribute to stress-induced AGML. TRPA1 is a potential drug target to reduce stress-induced AGML development in patients with acute critical illnesses. This study may contribute to the discovery of drugs for AGML treatment.

Neuroprotective effect of fermented papaya preparation by activation of Nrf2 pathway in astrocytes

OBJECTIVES

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) in astrocyte plays important roles in brain homeostasis. Fermented papaya preparation (FPP) has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory properties. The present study investigated the effects of FPP on activation of Nrf2 and release of Nrf2-regulated neuroprotective antioxidants and detoxifying molecules.

METHODS

Primary cultured astrocytes from rat embryos were treated with FPP for 6 or 24 hours. The expression levels of nuclear Nrf2 and cytoplasmic Nrf2-regulated molecules were determined by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Glutathione levels were measured in cells and medium. Dopaminergic neurons were exposed 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) with/without pre-treatment with FPP astrocytes. Mice were treated orally with FPP for 2 weeks.

RESULTS

FPP increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in striatal astrocytes, induced up-regulation of NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase-1, glutathione-S transferase and hemeoxygenase-1, and increased glutathione level and the percentage of metallothionein-expressing astrocytes. Moreover, FPP suppressed 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss in not only neuron-astrocyte mixed culture, but also neuron-rich cultures pre-treated with glial conditioned medium. Two-week oral treatment of mice with FPP resulted in Nrf2 activation and increase in glutathione level in striatum.

DISCUSSION

The results indicated that FPP enhances the anti-oxidative capacity through activation of Nrf2 in astrocytes, suggesting it may provide neuroprotection in oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.

The Antioxidant Effect of Fermented Papaya Preparation in the Oral Cavity

Oxidative stress has been recognized to play important roles in various diseases, including of the oral cavity. However, nutritional supplementation of antioxidants to ameliorate the consequences of oxidative stress is debatable. One caveat is that oxidative status is often measured under non-physiological conditions. Here, we investigated the antioxidant potential of fermented papaya preparation (FPP), a product of yeast fermentation of Carica papaya Linn, under conditions that prevail in the oral cavity. Employing highly sensitive luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assays, we show that its antioxidant capacity was augmented by saliva (up to 20-fold, p < 0.0001, at 10 mg) and its components (mucin, albumin) as well as by red blood cells (RBC) and microorganisms present in the normal and pathological environment of the oral cavity. Polyphenols are major plant antioxidants. Using the Folin-Ciocalteu's assay, a very low amount of phenols was measured in FPP suspended in a salt solution. However, its suspension in saliva, albumin, mucin or RBC produced up to sixfold increase, p < 0.001, compared with the sum of polyphenols assayed separately. The results suggested that these enhancing effects were due to the solubilization of antioxidant polyphenols in FPP by saliva proteins and the binding to RBC and microorganisms, thus increasing their availability and activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.