Suni Lee1, Hitoshi Okamoto2, Shoko Yamamoto1, Tamayo Hatayama1, Hidenori Matsuzaki1, Naoko Kumagai-Takei1, Kei Yoshitome1, Yasumitsu Nishimura1, Toshiaki Sato3, Yasuzo Kirita4, Yoshio Fujii2, Takemi Otsuki1. 1. Biological Sciences, Universidad De Los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Co1. Department of Hygiene, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Mastushima, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan. 2. Cosmic Garden Co. Ltd., 1-2-25 Ima, Kita-Ku, Okayama 700-0975, Japan. 3. Coordinator, Specified Nonprofit Organization MEDICAL TECHNO OKAYAMA, 1st Floor General Education Research Building, Shikata Campus, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan. 4. Okayama University Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, 3rd Floor, Basic Medicine Building, Shikata Campus, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The custom-homebuilding company, Cosmic Garden Co. Ltd., located in Okayama City, Japan was established in 1997 and uses specific natural ore powder (SNOP) in wall materials and surveys customers in order to improve allergic symptoms. METHODS: To investigate the biological effects of SNOP, patients with a pollen allergy were recruited to stay in a room surrounded by cloth containing SNOP (CCSNOP), and their symptoms and various biological parameters were compared with those of individuals staying in a room surrounded by control non-woven cloth (NWC). Each stay lasted 60 min. Before and immediately after the stay, a questionnaire regarding allergic symptoms, as well as POMS (Profile of Mood Status) and blood sampling, was performed. Post-stay minus pre-stay values were calculated and compared between CCSNOP and NWC groups. RESULTS: Results indicated that some symptoms, such as nasal obstruction and lacrimation, improved, and POMS evaluation showed that patients were calmer following a stay in CCSNOP. Relative eosinophils, non-specific Ig E, epidermal growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α increased following a stay in CCSNOP. CONCLUSION: This ore powder improved allergic symptoms, and long-term monitoring involving 1 to 2 months may be necessary to fully explore the biological and physical effects of SNOP on allergic patients.
OBJECTIVE: The custom-homebuilding company, Cosmic Garden Co. Ltd., located in Okayama City, Japan was established in 1997 and uses specific natural ore powder (SNOP) in wall materials and surveys customers in order to improve allergic symptoms. METHODS: To investigate the biological effects of SNOP, patients with a pollen allergy were recruited to stay in a room surrounded by cloth containing SNOP (CCSNOP), and their symptoms and various biological parameters were compared with those of individuals staying in a room surrounded by control non-woven cloth (NWC). Each stay lasted 60 min. Before and immediately after the stay, a questionnaire regarding allergic symptoms, as well as POMS (Profile of Mood Status) and blood sampling, was performed. Post-stay minus pre-stay values were calculated and compared between CCSNOP and NWC groups. RESULTS: Results indicated that some symptoms, such as nasal obstruction and lacrimation, improved, and POMS evaluation showed that patients were calmer following a stay in CCSNOP. Relative eosinophils, non-specific Ig E, epidermal growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α increased following a stay in CCSNOP. CONCLUSION: This ore powder improved allergic symptoms, and long-term monitoring involving 1 to 2 months may be necessary to fully explore the biological and physical effects of SNOP on allergicpatients.