research worker have discovered the presence of smell receptor in humanbronchi , which when trigger off by a scent resembling that of banana can improve ventilation and potentially alleviateasthmaand allergies .
In a Modern composition appearing in the journalFrontiers in Physiology , a team of scientists explains how they detected twoolfactory receptors – similar to those found in the nose – in thehuman airline smooth muscle cells(HASMCs ) that line parts of the respiratory scheme . Given the involvement of HASMCs in allergic asthma attack , this finding could prove pivotal in the development of new treatments to manipulate the activity of these cellular telephone to bring down symptom .
For instance , a chemic messenger calledhistamineis often released as part of the body ’s immune response to intrude on pathogens . Though the primary subprogram of histamine is tocontrol inflammation , it can also induce HASMCs to shorten , leading to external respiration difficulty – which is what tends to happen when people experience asthma attack attacks .
However , the report authors discover that one of the fresh discovered olfactory receptors – squall OR2AG1 – could be activated by the fruity odor of a chemical called amyl butyrate , causing HASMCs to slack . This , in number , enables the bronchioles to dilate , reverse the personal effects of histamine and permit breathing to recall to normal .
The other receptor , call off OR1D2 , can be spark off by an aromatic compound called bourgeonal – which is often used in fragrance – contribute to the paired effect , whereby HASMCs contract and respiration becomes problematical . This could explain why wheezing people often have flare - ups when they receive certain perfume .
However , a substance called undecanal was find to suppress OR1D2 , blocking this effect and let the muscle of the respiratory system to function as normal .
The researcher evoke that targeting olfaction receptors in the lung could prove to be an effectual scheme in the fight against respiratory diseases . In astatement , study co - author Hanns Hatt explained that “ amyl butyrate may help better airflow in asthma sufferers … It can likely counteract not only the effect of histamine , but also that of other allergen that make breathing difficult . ”
