MCS America ©: December 2013

New research sheds light on mysterious fibromyalgia pain

New research sheds light on mysterious fibromyalgia pain
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/15/fibromyalgia-research-breakthrough/3991063/

"This new understanding of fibromyalgia will hopefully lead to better treatments, doctors and researchers say."

FDA Wants Proof of Anti-Bacterial Soap Claims

FDA Wants Proof of Anti-Bacterial Soap Claims
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Washington-Watch/FDAGeneral/43453

Cytotoxic effects of air freshener biocides in lung epithelial cells.

Cytotoxic effects of air freshener biocides in lung epithelial cells.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24273871

Kwon JT, Lee M, Seo GB, Kim HM, Shim I, Lee DH, Kim T, Seo JK, Kim P, Choi K.

Nat Prod Commun. 2013 Sep;8(9):1301-4.

Abstract

This study evaluated the cytotoxicity of mixtures of citral (CTR) and either benzisothiazolinone (BIT, Mix-CTR-BIT) or triclosan (TCS, Mix-CTR-TCS) in human A549 lung epithelial cells. We investigated the effects of various mix ratios of these common air freshener ingredients on cell viability, cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and DNA damage. Mix-CTR-BIT and Mix-CTR-TCS significantly decreased the viability of lung epithelial cells and inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, both mixtures increased ROS generation, compared to that observed in control cells. In particular, cell viability, growth, and morphology were affected upon increase in the proportion of BIT or TCS in the mixture. However, comet analysis showed that treatment of cells with Mix-CTR-BIT or Mix-CTR-TCS did not increase DNA damage. Taken together, these data suggested that increasing the content of biocides in air fresheners might induce cytotoxicity, and that screening these compounds using lung epithelial cells may contribute to hazard assessment.

PMID: 24273871 [PubMed - in process]

Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow during Olfactory Stimulation in Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Multi-Channel Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Study.

Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow during Olfactory Stimulation in Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Multi-Channel Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24278291

Azuma K, Uchiyama I, Takano H, Tanigawa M, Azuma M, Bamba I, Yoshikawa T.
PLoS One. 2013 Nov 21;8(11):e80567. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080567.

Author information

Abstract

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is characterized by somatic distress upon exposure to odors. Patients with MCS process odors differently from controls. This odor-processing may be associated with activation in the prefrontal area connecting to the anterior cingulate cortex, which has been suggested as an area of odorant-related activation in MCS patients. In this study, activation was defined as a significant increase in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) because of odorant stimulation. Using the well-designed card-type olfactory test kit, changes in rCBF in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were investigated after olfactory stimulation with several different odorants. Near-infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) imaging was performed in 12 MCS patients and 11 controls. The olfactory stimulation test was continuously repeated 10 times. The study also included subjective assessment of physical and psychological status and the perception of irritating and hedonic odors. Significant changes in rCBF were observed in the PFC of MCS patients on both the right and left sides, as distinct from the center of the PFC, compared with controls. MCS patients adequately distinguished the non-odorant in 10 odor repetitions during the early stage of the olfactory stimulation test, but not in the late stage. In comparison to controls, autonomic perception and negative affectivity were poorer in MCS patients. These results suggest that prefrontal information processing associated with odor-processing neuronal circuits and memory and cognition processes from past experience of chemical exposure play significant roles in the pathology of this disorder.

PMID: 24278291 [PubMed - in process]

EU Commission Reviews Fragrance Allergens Program

EU Commission Reviews Fragrance Allergens Program
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/16/6004003/eu-commission-reviews-fragrance.html

"The IDEA project, endorsed by the EU Commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg, is a multi-stakeholder process designed to provide a broadly agreed and transparent framework for assessing fragrance sensitizers globally. It is an opportunity to build partnerships between the international fragrance industry and its stakeholders to improve the risk assessment of those fragrance ingredients identified as allergens, leading to better consumer protection.: