抄録
Free radicals/reactive oxygen species (ROS) are related to various disorders including inflammation, aging, and cancer. However, living systems have essential antioxidant mechanisms by which these harmful radicals can be scavenged, i.e., free radical-scavenging activity (FRSA). In the present study, we examined how salivary FRSA is affected by physical and mental activities, which included 1) ingestion of green tea or coffee, 2) a swimming or dancing lesson, 3) watching a comic video or stimulation by lavender or isovaleric acid odors, and 4) smoking. The FRSA was determined by using the DPPH (1,1'-diphenyl-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) method. In the study on the individual activities, beverage ingestion increased FRSA, whereas exercise decreased it. Watching an amusing video program or stimulation by a pleasant aroma increased FRSA. In contrast, an unpleasant odor had no effect on FRSA. The FRSA decreased immediately after smoking, but thereafter increased after. Thus salivary FRSA was affected by not only physical activities, but also mental activities. The FRSA in saliva may be a parameter for reflecting the health status of individuals. [J Physiol Sci. 2006;56 Suppl:S225]
