Olfactory stimulation modulates the blood glucose level in rats
Tadataka Tsuji1, Susumu Tanaka1, Sanam Bakhshishayan1
1The First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
International Journal of Medical Sciences
|February 28, 2018
Summary
Olfactory function significantly impacts glucose metabolism after eating. Specific odors, like grapefruit or lavender, can alter blood glucose (BG) levels, suggesting potential uses for fragrance-based glucose control.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Metabolism
Background:
- Chemosensory stimuli, including odors and tastes, influence physiological and mental responses.
- These responses are closely linked to energy homeostasis and metabolic processes like glucose kinetics.
- The role of olfactory input in regulating glucose metabolism following nutrient ingestion remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of olfactory function on glucose kinetics in rats after glucose ingestion.
- To determine if specific odorants can modulate blood glucose (BG) levels.
Main Methods:
- A conventional glucose tolerance test was administered to rats with intact olfactory function and those with experimentally induced olfactory loss.
- Blood glucose (BG) curves were meticulously analyzed to assess glucose kinetics.
- Rats were exposed to specific odors (grapefruit, lavender) or their components prior to glucose loading.
Main Results:
- Rats lacking olfactory input exhibited a significant reduction in the area under the blood glucose (BG) curve.
- Exposure to grapefruit odor and limonene (a sympathetic nervous system activator) before glucose loading markedly decreased the BG curve.
- Pre-loading exposure to lavender odor (a parasympathetic activator) resulted in stabilized BG levels.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory function plays a crucial role in regulating glucose kinetics post-ingestion.
- Certain fragrances, by activating distinct branches of the autonomic nervous system, demonstrate potential as tools for managing blood glucose (BG) levels.
More Related Videos
06:28A Simple Flow Cytometric Method to Measure Glucose Uptake and Glucose Transporter Expression for Monocyte Subpopulations in Whole Blood
Published on: August 12, 2016
17.3K
06:11Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring
Published on: May 17, 2024
1.2K
Related Concept Videos
01:02Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
4.4K
Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
4.4K
01:16Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
7.1K
Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
7.1K
01:27Glucose Transporters
27.6K
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
27.6K
01:29Leveling Effect
1.5K
In acid-base chemistry, the leveling effect refers to the limitation imposed by the solvent on the strength of acids and bases in solution. When a base stronger than the solvent's conjugate base is used, it deprotonates the solvent until the base is entirely consumed, making it ineffective against weaker acids. Conversely, an acid stronger than the solvent's conjugate acid protonates the solvent until the acid is depleted, rendering it ineffective against weaker bases. Essentially, the...
1.5K
01:19High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
792
Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
792
01:26Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
36.1K
Complex carbohydrates consumed cannot be absorbed into the small intestine in their original form. First, they must be hydrolyzed to a monosaccharide form such as glucose or galactose. These monosaccharides are then transported across the intestinal membrane and into the blood via transcellular transport. The intestinal epithelial cells allow the movement of these monosaccharides with a defined 'entry' through membrane transporter proteins present on their apical membrane and...
36.1K