The proposal aims to define the molecular boundaries of size, shape, structure, and relevant physicochemical properties for a volatile organic compound (VOC) to act as an effective trigeminal (i.e., chemesthetic) stimulus in humans. Chemesthetic responses in the mucosae of the face to airborne chemicals include nasal pungency (i.e., irritation) and eye irritation, two frequently mentioned adverse symptoms arising from indoor (e.g., sick building syndrome) and occupational environments. This proposal is a follow-up of our previous work exploring the physicochemical basis for the production of these chemesthetic responses by VOCs. Systematic chemosensory testing of members of homologous chemical series has revealed that a homolog can be reached where the ability to evoke these trigeminal responses begins to fade, and finally disappears for all ensuing homologs, constituting a """"""""cut off"""""""" effect. The proposal focuses on the two or three homologs from each series at the boundary of the cut off effect, and will measure the sensory responses of nasal pungency, nasal localization, and eye irritation. From each substance selected to be tested, we will obtain stimulus-response (psychometric) functions spanning the range from chance detection to virtually perfect detection in order to identify the precise homolog reaching the cut off point in each homologous series. By means of chemical modeling and by additional sensory testing of rigid chemical structures molded on the molecular parameters of the cut off homologs, we will define the molecular and physicochemical boundaries for any volatile compound to be able to act as an effective trigeminal chemosensory stimulus. Knowledge of such boundaries has important implications for both basic and applied aspects of trigeminal chemoreception. From a basic perspective it will contribute to the chemical characterization of the trigeminal reception process(es), from an applied perspective it will allow to understand and prevent adverse sensory reactions from air pollutants.
| Abraham, Michael H; Sánchez-Moreno, Ricardo; Cometto-Muñiz, J Enrique et al. (2012) An algorithm for 353 odor detection thresholds in humans. Chem Senses 37:207-18 |
| Abraham, Michael H; Gola, Joelle M R; Cometto-Muñiz, J Enrique et al. (2010) Hydrogen bonding between solutes in solvents octan-1-ol and water. J Org Chem 75:7651-8 |
| Abraham, Michael H; Sanchez-Moreno, Ricardo; Gil-Lostes, Javier et al. (2010) The biological and toxicological activity of gases and vapors. Toxicol In Vitro 24:357-62 |
| Abraham, Michael H; Acree, William E; Cometto-Muñiz, J Enrique (2009) Partition of compounds from water and from air into amides. New J Chem 33:2034-2043 |
| Cometto-Muniz, J Enrique; Abraham, Michael H (2008) A cut-off in ocular chemesthesis from vapors of homologous alkylbenzenes and 2-ketones as revealed by concentration-detection functions. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 230:298-303 |
| Cometto-Muniz, J Enrique; Cain, William S; Abraham, Michael H et al. (2007) Concentration-detection functions for eye irritation evoked by homologous n-alcohols and acetates approaching a cut-off point. Exp Brain Res 182:71-9 |
| Abraham, Michael H; Sanchez-Moreno, Ricardo; Cometto-Muniz, J Enrique et al. (2007) A quantitative structure activity analysis on the relative sensitivity of the olfactory and the nasal trigeminal chemosensory systems. Chem Senses 32:711-9 |
| Cometto-Muniz, J E; Cain, W S; Abraham, M H et al. (2007) Cutoff in detection of eye irritation from vapors of homologous carboxylic acids and aliphatic aldehydes. Neuroscience 145:1130-7 |
| Cometto-Muniz, J Enrique; Cain, William S; Abraham, Michael H et al. (2006) Chemical boundaries for detection of eye irritation in humans from homologous vapors. Toxicol Sci 91:600-9 |
| Cometto-Muniz, J Enrique; Cain, William S; Abraham, Michael H (2005) Determinants for nasal trigeminal detection of volatile organic compounds. Chem Senses 30:627-42 |
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