The Power of Scent: Synthetic Odorants and Hair Health

In a study published this month in the Journal of Dermatological Science, Edelkamp and a team of researchers have unveiled a novel approach to managing the human hair follicle microbiome. The key player is a synthetic odorant that mimics the scent of sandalwood, known as Sandalore®.

The study's foundation lies in the discovery that human scalp hair follicles (HFs) possess olfactory receptors, which enable them to engage in chemosensation. Specifically, activation of olfactory receptor family 2 subfamily AT member 4 (OR2AT4). 

One of the findings was the role of Sandalore® in up-regulating the expression of dermcidin (DCD) within the hair follicles. Previously believed to be exclusively produced by sweat and sebaceous glands, DCD is a potent antimicrobial peptide. The study revealed that synthetic odorant treatment triggered the production of DCD within the hair follicles.

To thoroughly understand the implications of this discovery, the researchers compared DCD expression between fresh-frozen scalp biopsies and microdissected, full-length scalp HFs. These HFs were organ-cultured under various conditions, including the presence or absence of Sandalore®, antibiotics, and the competitive OR2AT4 antagonist, Phenirat®.

Sandalore®-conditioned medium, with increased DCD content, was found to favor the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Malassezia restricta, while simultaneously exhibiting antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes. 

The study opens doors for further exploration into using cosmetic odorants in the management of folliculitis and dysbiosis-associated hair diseases.

REFERENCE

Edelkamp J, Lousada MB, Pinto D, Chéret J, Calabrese FM, Jiménez F, Erdmann H, Wessel J, Phillip B, Angelis M, Rinaldi F, Bertolini M, Paus R. Management of the human hair follicle microbiome by a synthetic odorant. J Dermatol Sci. 2023 Oct 17:S0923-1811(23)00221-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2023.09.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37858476.

Methanethiol: The Scent of Disease and Discovery

In a previous blog post, we discussed the role of SELENBP1 in nonosyndromic (monosymptomatic) halitosis. We learned that if this enzyme isn't functioning correctly, it can lead to the release of more Methanethiol, a volatile and rather unpleasant-smelling gas often associated with the aroma of rotten cabbage. 

However, Selenium binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) isn't just a casual bystander in our biological processes. It has been linked to various health conditions and diseases. These include:

Hypermethioninemia: A rare condition that can sometimes come with learning disabilities and neurological issues.

Schizophrenia: a complex mental disorder that challenges our understanding of the human mind

Hypertension and Ischemic Heart Conditions, conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and Infectious Diseases: Dysregulation of SELENBP1 is associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue infections, as well as COVID-19.

SELENBP1's role in several types of cancer, including its downregulation at the onset of cancer and upregulation in later stages, is a subject of intense research.

Methanethiol contributes to the distinct scent signature linked to cancer, characterized by a combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Researchers are increasingly exploring this intriguing scent profile as a potential tool for non-invasive early cancer diagnosis.

Methanethiol is a testament to the intricate connections between genetics, metabolism, and disease, reminding us that even the smelliest molecules can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.

Methanethiol also contributes to the distinct scent signature associated with cancer, characterized by a combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This intriguing scent profile is increasingly being explored for non-invasive early cancer diagnosis.

In a recent paper titled "Methanethiol: A Scent Mark of Dysregulated Sulfur Metabolism in Cancer,"  researchers unveiled new findings:

Tumor cells undergo metabolic adaptations to meet increased energy demands and enhance stress resilience. This includes dysregulation of sulfur metabolism and elevated levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in cancer patients.

Methanethiol stands out as the predominant cancer-associated VSC and is being considered as a potential biomarker for non-invasive cancer diagnosis.

Within the gut microbiome of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients, gut bacteria, particularly methanethiol-producing strains like Fusobacterium nucleatum, are a significant source of exposure to methanethiol.

Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) plays a crucial role in the rapid degradation of methanethiol through its methanethiol oxidase (MTO) activity.

Odor-based cancer screening methods, such as sniffer dogs and canine scent detection, even human feedback, have shown great promise in identifying lung and colorectal cancer patients, opening doors to non-invasive detection approaches.

The dysregulation of sulfur metabolism and the potential use of methanethiol as a biomarker, coupled with the innovative odor-based cancer screening methods, offer not just promising but transformative avenues for non-invasive cancer detection and cutting-edge research.

REFERENCE

Philipp TM, Scheller AS, Krafczyk N, Klotz LO, Steinbrenner H. Methanethiol: A Scent Mark of Dysregulated Sulfur Metabolism in Cancer. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Sep 19;12(9):1780. doi: 10.3390/antiox12091780. PMID: 37760083; PMCID: PMC10525899.